Melbourne explores international terminal expansion

Melbourne Airport is working to finalise the details of a major international terminal expansion following 12 months of engagement with airlines to deliver increased terminal capacity and an enhanced experience for passengers. It follows the busiest month on record for international travel at Melbourne Airport, with 1,147,533 international passengers using the airport in December. International seat capacity into Australia’s largest 24-hour airport is at an all-time high, at 113 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, which is putting pressure on existing facilities. Foreign airlines account for 72 percent of all international seat capacity into Victoria, and major carriers understand the current constraints and the need for expansion. The completion of Melbourne Airport’s new elevated road network in 2026 will allow for an expansion of the international check-in and baggage claim halls, while discussions continue on an expanded international satellite that would increase capacity for airline lounges, retail outlets and passenger waiting areas, and up to five new widebody gates. Melbourne Airport is currently midway through a $500 million project to replace the international baggage system with a new, state-of-the-art tote-based system, which will increase capacity by allowing for any-time check-in and early bag storage. In December, the airport set new records for the number of bags it handled for outbound flights. Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the plans were being developed in response to increasing passenger demand, with the existing international terminal often requiring bussing during peak periods. “We’re setting new records for international passenger numbers and as Melbourne’s population grows, it’s important that our infrastructure grows too,” she said. “During peak periods we are already experiencing regular congestion in the international arrivals area, so it’s obvious to us that our passengers and airlines need more space. We’re listening to our customers and working with our key international carriers to understand how we can deliver the best value for them and the best experience for our travellers. The upgrade of our baggage system is the first step of an ambitious expansion of our international terminal. More gates, more aircraft parking stands, more check-in space, and a larger baggage reclaim hall, combined with construction of Melbourne Airport’s third runway, would allow airlines to add more flights during peak times, which would give consumers and Victorian exporters more choice. We hope to have plans formalised by the middle of this year, so that we can start work as soon as the enabling infrastructure projects are completed.” The last expansion of the international terminal was completed in 2011, with the addition of five new gates and 41,000 square metres of extra space. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]