AUSTRALIA. Australia’s Brisbane Airport has commenced work on its A$5 billion (US$3.3 billion) ‘Future BNE’ programme, which aims to ensure the Queensland state hub offers its passengers a better airport experience.
The programme, which includes over 150 projects, is the biggest in Brisbane Airport’s history. Future BNE will upgrade both the Domestic and International Terminals and continue the development of a new Terminal 3 Precinct as both Brisbane and Queensland look forward to hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics.
The programme includes upgraded departure gate lounges with café-style seating adjacent to retail areas and ten F&B options for passengers.
Construction has begun on extending eating and dining options in the Virgin Australia end of the terminal, with a bar along the glass windows to be constructed to allow customers to sip cocktails while watching planes land and depart.
The redevelopment will also include a 360-degree restaurant, the largest ever built at the airport, with the ten tenants to be announced soon.
Click here to explore the 3D Future BNE experience platform and check out the video below for an animation showing the proposed transformation of the Domestic Terminal.
Other aviation projects will see the expansion of aircraft parking and aprons, the resurfacing of the legacy runway, and the construction of a state-of-the-art Aeromedical facility to centralise medical repatriation and emergency services at Brisbane Airport.
Brisbane Airport Corporation Chief Executive Officer Gert-Jan de Graaff said: “We’re investing now to get ahead of the population growth curve so we’re ready for 2032 and beyond. We’re investing now so Queenslanders and the world are more closely connected. And we’re investing now to be a leader in sustainability.”
“The challenge is we are undertaking a vast project while still connecting 60,000 passengers to their destinations each day. It’s a bit like doing open-heart surgery on a patient while they’re running a marathon.”
According to Brisbane Airport Corporation, the Future BNE programme will “transform Queensland’s gateway to the world”.
De Graaff pointed out that the Domestic terminal is “the most connected domestic terminal in Australia with services to 61 destinations, so it is a very important transport hub. Half of those destinations are in Queensland.
“In the past year, 20 million passengers travelled through Brisbane Airport, and we expect that to grow by 10 million passengers in the coming decade as Queensland’s population expands and our terminals need to be ready,” he said.
The programme also includes the expansion of the Domestic Terminal P2 car park. The airport noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are choosing to drive to the airport instead of catching public transport or rideshare. At peak times the airport is close to running out of parking space.
Expansion plans include 1,700 additional car spaces plus active transport storage for scooters and bikes.
The Future BNE programme also includes:
- Security equipment with secure and simpler screening to allow most items to be left in bags
- Installation of world-class baggage system boosting security, capacity, reliability and sustainability
- Self check-in and automated bag-drop expanded to all airlines
- Upgraded departure gate lounges
- Bathroom upgrades across the terminal boosting capacity, accessibility and reducing water usage
- Bussing lounge to expand capacity as a result of growing population
- Extension to multistorey car park to meet increased demand
- Charging stations for airside electric vehicles for quieter and more sustainable operations
- Mezzanine level with direct entrance to security screening for checked-in passengers with carry-on luggage only.
“We will look after travellers every step of the way,” de Graaff said. “The challenge is we are undertaking a vast project while still connecting 60,000 passengers to their destinations each day. It’s a bit like doing open-heart surgery on a patient while they’re running a marathon.
“It won’t be easy, but we must get it done so our terminal meets Australian Government mandated security standards for safer travel.” 
