ADELAIDE AIRPORT’S 30-YEAR VISION TAKES FLIGHT – Press Release
Friday 24 October, 2014
Adelaide Airport Ltd (AAL) has unveiled plans to more than triple the size of its domestic and international terminal and create an ‘Airport Business District’ featuring industry clusters as part of its 30-year Vision for the site.
The release of the Vision coincides with the roll-out from today of a new logo and branding for Adelaide Airport to carry it into the future.
AAL Managing Director Mark Young said terminal expansion plans would see the number of aerobridges more than triple from 14 to 52 by 2044, easily accommodating new-generation aircraft including the A380 and Dreamliner. Expansion would include new retail space, airline lounges as well as more undercover multi-level car parking for both short term and long term stays.
“This is the next big phase in our growth and development. We want to be a top tier airport business centre in the Asia Pacific, and to do this we need to set ambitious targets and invest in future infrastructure,” Mr Young said.
“Since privatisation in 1998, we’ve doubled the number of passengers and more than quadrupled the number of international passengers. We’ve also invested more than $500 million in infrastructure and facilitated a further $350 million in the past 10 years alone.
“We’re currently Australia’s fastest growing capital city airport for international services, and we’re South Australia’s largest single site employment precinct, contributing $1.9 billion – or 2.1 per cent -to the Gross State Product.
“Based on what we’ve been able to achieve in little more than 15 years, we’re confident we can bring our 30-year Vision to life.”
Mr Young said the new Airport Business District would encompass all aspects of future development across the airport’s 785-hectare site.
“The Airport Business District will be a globally connected, next generation hub, with designated industry clusters that will allow employment and the environment to get top priority in an easy, connected and seamless manner,” he said.
“Some of the industries already established or looking to grow at Adelaide Airport include mining and resources, freight and logistics, technology, office and warehousing, healthcare, government enterprises and emergency services.
“Our infrastructure investment forecast is a further $1 billion within the next 5 years alone, incorporating terminal expansion, an airport hotel and an Airport District Centre directly linking to the terminal and hotel.”
Mr Young said today’s unveiling of Adelaide Airport’s 30-year Vision follows the release in July of Adelaide Airport’s Preliminary Draft Master Plan, which sets out the regulatory framework within which development can take place.
“While our master planning process, released earlier this year, is a regulatory requirement with a 20-year horizon, we wanted to go beyond that and create a long term vision for the airport and for South Australia,” Mr Young said.
“We strongly believe that aviation is a vital catalyst for economic growth. Our plans for growth will complement the South Australian Government’s 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.
“We will also ensure the growth of our business will continue to be compatible with surrounding land uses through ongoing discussion and consultation with local stakeholders.”
AAL has created a web portal for companies seeking more information on the Airport Business District and development opportunities – go to www.airportbusinessdistrict.com.
