One of Australia’s busiest airports, currently handling more than 10 million passengers a year, is preparing to welcome even more travellers in the coming decades with a massive modernisation.
The first part of Brisbane Airport’s $5 billion transformation is its international terminal, which will undergo its biggest redevelopment since opening in September 1995.
Last week, CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff gave a first glimpse of what passengers can expect in the coming years at Australia’s third-busiest airport.
Every aspect of the transformation will be designed to provide a better, more seamless experience for travelers and those picking up and dropping off passengers.
A key feature will be the new CT security screening equipment, which produces high-quality three-dimensional images of bags.
This means that laptops and other electronic devices, aerosols, gels and liquids can remain in your carry-on baggage when passing through security.
This will increase processing speed, meaning shorter queues for travellers.
In 2018, the previous coalition government ordered Australian airports to introduce CT technology by the end of 2025.
Australia’s third-busiest airport is preparing to welcome even more passengers in the coming decades with a massive $5 billion upgrade.
The security and passport control area in the international terminal will also become a more pleasant experience.
It will move from a windowless area on level three to a much brighter, naturally lit space on level four, which the airport believes reflects the Queensland experience.
The terminal will also include self-service check-in and baggage drop, enhanced retail shops and a duty-free area twice the size of the current offering.
Electric charging stations will also be installed for aircraft vehicles, such as push and baggage trailers and cargo loaders.
Not only will doing so be better for the environment, but the increased use of electric vehicles will make the rig a quieter place to work.
The first part of Brisbane Airport’s transformation is its international terminal, which has received its biggest makeover since opening in September 1995. Pictured is an artist’s impression
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff proudly presented an animated video of the new terminal to hundreds of industry leaders on Thursday at the CAPA Airline Leaders Summit in Brisbane.
Mr de Graaff joked that the video animation of the coming changes “is just the easy part, now we have to build the damn thing”.
“Everything must be designed so that our passengers have a pleasant and stress-free journey,” he added.
The airport chief has asked airlines to show patience during the upgrades as up to 75,000 passengers a day will continue to use the airport during construction.
“I promise it will be worth the wait,” he said.
To reduce impacts on passengers and airlines, the massive project will be completed in 20 phases, with construction expected to be completed in 2027.
The security screening area at the international terminal will be moved from a windowless area on level three to a much brighter, more naturally lit space on level four. Artist’s impression
In addition to the massive changes to the international terminal, the domestic terminal will also be modernised and a new terminal three will be built, which will be located between the two parallel runways.
“Over time, we will integrate domestic and international passengers into these new facilities,” de Graaff said.
‘We need to determine whether this integration will happen from day one or in stages.
“What we know for sure is that sustainability and accessibility will be built into the design of Terminal 3.”