Melbourne Airport forecourt set for review
The operational layout of Melbourne Airport’s forecourt
will be reviewed over the coming months. The review is being undertaken as a
direct response to the significant congestion that currently exists in this
area. Over 3,100 vehicles on average per hour currently travel through the forecourt
area at peak periods.
The two-lane thoroughfares at the front of Melbourne Airport terminals see hundreds of heavy vehicles including buses, taxis, limousines and trucks joining the thousands of pedestrians and private cars that use this area daily. The review will also include the elevated roadway that serves the departure levels of the three terminals’ increasing demands.
To be carried out in consultation with key forecourt users, such as bus companies, taxi and limousine operators and traffic management experts, the review will look at the current operational structure of the forecourt, with a view to ensuring the area is sustainable well into the future.
Melbourne Airport CEO, Chris Barlow, said the review was vital to guaranteeing the long-term workable efficiency of a major piece of Victoria’s transport infrastructure.
“With the recent decision by Tiger Airways to set up its base at Melbourne Airport, along with strong growth from existing airlines, we expect passenger numbers will grow rapidly beyond the 22 million passengers who currently pass through Melbourne Airport each year. A workable future for the airport forecourt is critical to ensuring these passengers and other airport visitors can enter and exit the airport as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Mr Barlow.