en.Wedoany.com Reported - Melbourne Airport has released its draft 2027 Master Plan, preparing for a doubling of passenger numbers over the next 20 years, with annual passenger throughput expected to reach 75 million by 2047. The draft outlines a 20-year vision for the airport as Australia's largest 24-hour gateway, aiming to strengthen its connections with domestic, international, and surrounding communities.
The airport stated that preparations to manage growth are already underway. New and expanded pick-up/drop-off zones will open in October, paving the way for a $4.5 billion privately funded project to expand the international terminal. The draft also proposes upgrades to the domestic terminal and infrastructure to support the long-term growth of Australian domestic airlines.
Improving transport connections between the airport and surrounding areas is a core element of the draft, involving new road infrastructure, enhanced bus connections for surrounding communities, and a rail link to the city via Sunshine. The draft also formalizes the Eastern Extension Project, which involves extending the east-west runway by 345 meters to compensate for the shortening required at the western end when the third runway is built.
Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport, said the draft will ensure the airport has the necessary infrastructure to meet the demands of Melbourne's growing population in the coming decades. She revealed that Melbourne Airport welcomed nearly 37 million passengers in the last financial year, a figure expected to double over the next 20 years. Argus stated that the airport needs to plan ahead for airfield, terminal, and ground transport infrastructure to serve the increasing number of passengers and importers/exporters. The airport precinct is already the largest employment hub in the state outside Melbourne's central business district, and while advancing the airport rail link to Sunshine, better local bus services also need to be planned. Further development of the business park will provide more job opportunities for residents in Melbourne's north and west, and sustainability has been embedded into the airport's planning and operations through low-carbon design, resource efficiency, and climate resilience.
