Sydney's international departures upgrade complete

Australia's Sydney International Airport officially (10-Jun-2010) completed the expansion and upgrade of the departures level of the international terminal. The upgrade is part of a AUD1.7 billion investment that Sydney Airport has made since 2002 with about AUD700 million invested in the past two years. A further AUD1 billion is planned for capital expenditure over the next five years. The completion of the work on the departures level is part of a AUD500 million investment in the international terminal. Construction commenced in 2007 and has involved:

• expanding the departures level by 7,300sqm;
• opening a new outbound hall for Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, closing two old halls;
• building a new security screening area to undertake essential aviation security measures, closing two old areas;
• creating the new Forum to provide more waiting areas and food, beverage and retail outlets for passengers (after Customs) including the largest duty free store in the southern hemisphere;
• building a new landside food court to provide passengers, staff and visitors with greater range and more choice (before Customs);
• refurbishing 30,000sqm of the existing departures level to provide upgraded gate lounges, waiting areas and more seating;
• commissioning a new arrivals level baggage reclaim carousel for increased A380 capacity. [more]