After two years of construction and an investment of over $340 million, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) today unveiled its expanded, world-class International Terminal, paving the way for a new era of aircraft, aviation technology and global tourism opportunities for South East Queensland.
BAC’s Managing Director and CEO Koen Rooijmans said Brisbane had matured as a city, and as a destination on the world stage since the terminal first opened 14 years ago.
“It comes as a surprise to some to hear that Brisbane is now Australia’s second largest destination for inbound international tourists, behind Sydney.
“But we have watched the numbers rise steadily in recent years as the world’s airlines have responded to growing demand and as the city’s status as a business centre has grown, and there is no doubt that Brisbane has come of age as a primary destination for Australia-bound passengers,” he said.
Mr Rooijmans said the number of people passing through the terminal had increased from 1.9 million in 1995 to around 4.1 million today, demanding a significant upscaling in the overall passenger processing capacity of the airport.
Around 33,000 additional square meters of space have been added across the four floors of the terminal, while airline processing, retail, customs, security and baggage areas have been expanded and reconfigured to cater for an additional 5.3 million passengers in the next five years.
“While the original terminal was certainly state of the art in its day, the work we are celebrating today, elevates Brisbane to one of only 60 airports worldwide with the capacity to manage the new aircraft and new aviation-related technology that will be a feature of the sector in coming years.”
Mr Rooijmans said in addition to growing passenger numbers, the advent of the Airbus A380 had played a large part in the decision to commit to the terminal expansion program.
“Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Thai and Malaysia Airlines — all major carriers into and out of Brisbane — have ordered the new super jumbo. Emirates also opened their new lounge as part of the expansion earlier this year, the first airline lounge in Australia capable of boarding passengers directly to the aircraft, including the upper deck of the Airbus A380.
“For Brisbane to retain its status as a leading destination for international airlines, it was imperative we step up and prepare our terminal for their arrival,” he said.
He said tourism was a major contributor to the economy of South East Queensland and this too had influenced BAC’s decision to commit to the new infrastructure, services and facilities.
“It is critical that Brisbane Airport, as the primary transport hub, continues to keep pace with the tourism industry and marketing initiatives designed to bring people to South East Queensland.
“If we can add to the reputation of our tourism product by offering a world-class experience from the very time when people first step into Australia, then it is money well spent.”
He said in addition to the overall amenity of the building, BAC had also worked closely with Government agencies to streamline processing and security technology.
“Brisbane International was the first airport in Australia to introduce 'Smart Gate' customs and immigration technology, which will be a boon to Australians when returning from overseas.
“When combined with other technologies that have been installed throughout the building, Brisbane becomes the showcase for innovation."
Mr Rooijmans said more than 6,000 people, representing around 94 different contractors, had worked on the redevelopment of the International Terminal across the two years.
He said attention to detail had underpinned the redevelopment work.
“From the floor tiles to the ceiling, from our new information display boards to the types of seating selected for lounges, from cafes to the new generation aerobridges through which passengers will pass, the International Terminal will provide a world class experience,” he said.
“The redeveloped Brisbane International Terminal will be great for passengers, great for the global airline industry, but more importantly, great for Queensland,” Mr Rooijmans concluded.
