Brisbane Airport officially opens USD362m upgrade

Australia's Brisbane Airport officially opened (28-Aug-2012) its AUD350 million (USD362 million) domestic terminal precinct upgrade on 28-Aug-2012. The upgrade includes an expansion to the Central Area Satellite and terminal aprons, construction of a new nine-storey car park, an elevated Skywalk, new forecourt area and central taxi rank, and reconfiguration of the road network in front of the terminal. The airport noted that finishing touches to the new Public Pick-up area (PPU) are also under way in preparation for its opening in mid-Sep-2012. Details include:

• Domestic Terminal - Central Area Satellite: The central area terminal, used by Jetstar, Tiger Australia and other airlines, now has a completed 'satellite', similar to those at the Qantas and Virgin Australia terminals, increasing the number of aircraft gates from two to seven, new food and beverage facilities, improved energy efficiency and space for offices;
• Domestic Terminal Multi-level car park: The new nine-level car park at the Domestic terminal provides more than 5,000 new undercover car parks, bringing the total number of car park spaces within the precinct to around 9,000. It is the largest single-structure car park in the southern hemisphere;
• Domestic Terminal Skywalk and road network re-configuration: The Domestic Terminal Skywalk connects the terminal with the car parks passing over the road system with access via lifts, travelators and escalators. The reconfiguration of the road network at the terminal has increased the number of accessible roads in front of the terminal separating private vehicles from taxis, buses and other ground transport operators;
• Public Pick-Up Area: The new Public Pick-Up Area is within walking distance from the central face of the Domestic Terminal. With 221 car bays, drivers are allowed 20 minutes free parking while they wait to collect arriving passengers.

More than 16 million passengers currently travel through Brisbane's Domestic Terminal p/a, which is expected to increase to 33 million by 2029. [more - original PR]