Delivering An Efficient Airport Access System: How To Ensure Western Sydney Airport Is Fit For Purpose
After decades of indecision, the Australian Government in 2017 pressed ahead with the decision to build Sydney’s second airport, providing much needed capacity to accommodate the anticipated influx of 76 million ppa by 2030.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian recently told overseas investors and infrastructure companies, the airport represents a “once in a century opportunity”. But, aside from the federal government’s investment in the airport itself, there is effectively no dedicated airport access planned at this stage. Most of the “planning” relates to satisfying local needs not directly related to the optimal functioning of the airport.
However, given the potential growth projections for the Sydney basin (and the cost to the economy of not providing adequate infrastructure), it is critical that the airport serves as a genuine alternative to Kingsford Smith and does not become a localised regional airport with inadequate surface infrastructure links.
- Making provisions for surface connectivity: Does the airport need a fast rail link?
- Is discussion of a proposed aerotropolis realistic?
- Financing the infrastructure project
- How is the airline customer profile expected to evolve – will the airport remain primarily focused on the low cost market?
Moderator: L.E.K. Consulting, Partner, George Woods
Panellists:
- Board of Airline Representatives of Australia, Executive Director, Barry Abrams
- Sydney Business Chamber, Director, David Borger
- Transportation Associates, Director, Peter Thornton
- Western Sydney Airport, CEO, Graham Millet
- Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, Chair, Christopher Brown