Brisbane Airport international terminal transformation detailed
As part of its $5 billion Future BNE plans that also include a new terminal at the airport in the 2030s, Brisbane Airport has outlined the upgrades set for the international terminal.
Collectively, the changes are the most significant modifications to the terminal since it opened 29 years ago. The major works have been catalysed by the need to upgrade security screening in the terminal to meet Australian Government standards.
Security and passport control will be moved up a floor to level four, from its current windowless location into a light-filled atrium. Security screening equipment will get a major upgrade, making the process faster and less hassle for passengers, while baggage systems will be also be upgraded for greater efficiency. Self-service check-in and bag drop will be expanded, improving speed and choice through the airport, there will be new dining and retail offerings and the duty free shopping footprint will almost double in size. Electric charging stations will also be added to power up aircraft support vehicles, boosting sustainability.
“Our international terminal is Queensland’s gateway to the world,” said Brisbane Airport CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff.
“After three decades of service, it’s well and truly time for a transformation, ensuring it’s ready to welcome the world for years to come.
“This building is worth billions of dollars to Queensland’s tourism economy and jobs every year.”
Adelaide to get direct services to China
China Southern Airlines will resume its direct services between Adelaide and Guangzhou, China, in December for the first time since the pandemic paused global travel.
From December 12, China Southern will operate three return flights a week between the two destinations.
The flights are anticipated to be worth $69 million to Adelaide each year.
The new China Southern flights will be the first direct connection between Adelaide and China post-pandemic, with China one of Australia’s largest visitor source markets.
“The three weekly China Southern Airlines flights will make South Australia that much more enticing for potential visitors from China, an international market once worth $384 million to our state’s visitor economy,” said South Australia’s tourism minister, Zoe Bettison.
With China Southern back at Adelaide Airport, this will bring the total number of international airlines serving the city to nine.
Sydney lands Turkish Airlines flights
Following its entry into Melbourne earlier this year, Turkish Airlines will begin flying between Istanbul and Sydney from December 5 2024.
The flights will add over 68,600 inbound seats into Sydney Airport each year, worth around $53 million to the state’s economy.
Turkish Airlines will operate four flights a week, initially with a refuelling stop in Kuala Lumpur.
However, as with the Melbourne services, Turkish Airlines intends to operate the services non-stop in the future, with the Sydney flights expected to become direct in 2026, as new long range aircraft enter service.
Along with Project Sunrise from Qantas, which promises direct flights between Sydney and London and Sydney and New York, the Turkish Airlines flights will help usher in a new era of direct connectivity between Europe and Australia’s east coast.
“This announcement of direct flights marks a significant milestone for travel to Europe, offering passengers seamless access to hundreds of destinations from Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub,” said Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton.
The new flights are expected to bring airfares between Sydney and Europe down by increasing competition.
Gold Coast increases New Zealand connections
A new agreement between Qantas Group and Queensland Airports Limited, which operates Gold Coast Airport, will see the Gold Coast become the most connected Australian destination to New Zealand.
Jetstar will operate flights between the Gold Coast and Hamilton and Dunedin three times a week from mid-2025.
Once these flights are in service, the Gold Coast will have air connections with six New Zealand destinations.
“New Zealand is Australia’s largest international visitor market, so it makes sense for us to increase our trans-Tasman connectivity,” said Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans.
“We’re proud that we’ll be Australia’s most connected airport to New Zealand.
“These services are expected to deliver over 115,000 passengers annually to the Gold Coast, connecting the city to Dunedin for the first time and re-establishing the airport’s first ever Tasman route, to Hamilton.”
