[CANBERRA] Sydney Airport, Australia biggest aviation hub, proposed a long-term overhaul of domestic and international terminal operations to cope with an expected 75 per cent increase in passengers in the next 20 years.
A draft of the airport’s Master Plan 2045, unveiled on Monday (Sep 15), includes wide-ranging infrastructure, airfield and freight upgrades at Australia’s primary overseas gateway. A mooted expansion linking the two domestic terminals will bring regional, domestic and overseas services under one roof, addressing a bugbear for travellers navigating the airport.
Some 72.6 million passengers a year are expected to use Sydney Airport by 2045, and the proportion of international travellers will rise to just over 50 per cent from about 40 per cent, the airport said.
The two-decade plan lays out for the first time long-term flight demand in Australia in the post-pandemic era. Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia Holdings, the country’s two major airlines, both say demand is relentless across the full spectrum of fares.
“Meeting this growing demand, while continuing to provide a world-class experience, is no small task,” Sydney Airport chief executive officer Scott Charlton said in Monday’s 261-page document.
Airlines have long said a lack of infrastructure worldwide, including terminals, runways and transport links, is one of the biggest impediments to air-travel growth. Western Sydney International Airport is due to open next year, and aims to be capable of handling 10 million passengers annually.
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Sydney Airport said it will have a flexible approach to accommodating new aircraft and technologies such as sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen and battery-powered electric planes.
After public consultation, the airport’s master plan is due to be submitted to the government in March 2026. BLOOMBERG
