'Kingsford Smith Airport is reaching capacity', no 'tinkering' will chagne this: Australia deputy PM

Australia's deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, speaking at the CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit, acknowledged (07-Aug-2013) that "one area where serious questions remain is the capacity of Sydney Airport to service future demand". Noting that "Kingsford Smith Airport is reaching capacity" and that "all the tinkering in the world won't change that fact" as the "size of the airport restricts its growth". He explained, "Melbourne Airport is 2 ∏ times bigger than Sydney Airport and Brisbane is three times bigger. Without a second Sydney airport, we will be saying no to jobs, no to economic growth and no to securing Sydney's future as a global city". He continued, "With four out of every 10 flights passing each day through Sydney, this is no longer an issue just for this city.A delay at Sydney spreads like influenza around the nation. Australia - not just Sydney - needs a second Sydney airport sooner than later. It must be dealt with in a bipartisan way. The problems of Sydney are already affecting business. Over the last five years alone, Melbourne's international traffic has grown by twice that of Sydney. Sydney's share of international business now sits at 42 per cent, down from 50 per cent a decade ago. All this comes at a time when international passenger numbers for Australia overall are at a record high". [more - original PR]