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“We’ve completely changed how people arrive into Perth Airport off an international flight. Previously, our facilities were not providing the kind of welcome we wanted to give passengers when they arrived at Perth Airport.“ |
Brad Geatches Chief Executive Officer Perth Airport |
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AUSTRALIA. Perth Airport last week opened the first phase of its new international Arrivals area, a key part of its ambitious A$750 million (US$682.1 million) redevelopment of the entire facility.
The airport said the opening was critical to supporting continued growth in international passenger numbers, which were up +8.2% to 3.8 million in the last financial year.
As part of the redevelopment, the immigration Arrivals area has been moved from the ground floor to level one and more than doubled in size.
Arriving passengers now walk through a large, modern JR/Duty Free store, which offers more choice and more brands than ever offered at Perth before, the airport said. As previously reported, the new arrivals store covers 1,115sq m. Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches described it as “world-class and very different to what was on offer before”.
He added: “We’ve completely changed how people arrive into Perth Airport off an international flight. The Terminal 1 building has been extended by 60m to the east, effectively doubling the size of the existing arrivals area,” he said.
“Previously, our facilities were not providing the kind of welcome we wanted to give passengers when they arrived at Perth Airport.
“It was essential that we got the design of this area right to ensure an efficient and enjoyable customer experience. We also wanted to embrace technology, and support the increased use of SmartGate by Australian citizens and those from other nations with e-Passport facilities.”
The airport added that feedback from passengers and staff using the new facilities had already been “overwhelmingly positive”.
Redevelopment work is now continuing with the remodelling and expansion of the ground floor. “The first of three double-loop baggage reclaim belts is in operation and we are now focusing on expanding the Quarantine area, which will also double in size,” said Geatches.
This first phase of the international Arrivals expansion also includes the completion of new offices on level 1 for Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Immigration. On the ground floor there will be new toilets, car rental booths and a quiet/prayer room, accessible from the forecourt and arrivals hall.
Geatches added: “By the time this A$80 million (US$72.8 million) project is complete in late 2014, and we have finished the A$145 million (US$131.9 million) expansion and upgrade of the international departures experience, we will have doubled the entire the floor space in Terminal 1 and transformed the experience for all passengers.”
