Australia airport to expand

The expansion of Adelaide Airport in Australia (AAL) will add approximately 20,000 square meters of space to the southern apron, creating additional parking for an additional four aircraft.

AAL Managing Director, Mark Young, said the expansion was in response to recent and forecast increases in the number of flights, particularly international services, landing at Adelaide Airport. Work will begin this month in the southwest section of Terminal 1.

“The southern apron expansion will largely cater for aircraft that are ‘laying over’ for a longer period of time between arrivals and departures. Moving these aircraft to the southern apron, once passengers have disembarked, then frees up more space at the terminal gates for other in-bound aircraft,” Mr. Young said.

“We have longer term plans to expand Terminal 1 to meet continued growth, but for now this extra parking space will provide greater flexibility in managing arrivals and departures.”

The project, to be carried out by Lend Lease, will see the airside boundary fence shift 70 meters to the south-west of its current location. The area was previously used for staff car parking.

The expansion will also require the re-alignment of part of Sir Richard Williams Avenue, which currently provides access to the long term car park. The project is due for completion in mid-2015.

Adelaide Airport is Australia’s fastest growing capital city airport for international services, with a 21.5 per cent increase in passenger numbers in the December quarter. In the past three months the airport has welcomed inaugural international flights by Jetstar to Bali and Auckland, and by AirAsia X to Kuala Lumpur.