16pc growth in exports is icing on the cake for dominant Melbourne
AirCargo Archive Stories #225
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Melbourne Airport has delivered an overview of its performance over the past year and has detailed its current projects and future plans to an audience of almost 700 people from business, government and the wider community.
Australia’s undisputed freight capital - with 16 per cent growth in freight exports during the year - also posted passenger gains.
Chris Woodruff, its chief executive told the meeting total passenger numbers grew by six per cent during 2012/13 to exceed 29 million passengers.
International passengers increased by five per cent to 7.1 million, while domestic passengers grew by six per cent to 22.7 million.
Airlines with new services included Emirates’ daily A380 between Melbourne and Dubai and Auckland, while Singapore Airlines increased to four daily services between Melbourne and Singapore. Belly hold cargo featured in those decisions.
Local carrier Jetstar reintroduced its service to Honolulu, while Sichuan Airlines commenced direct flights between Chengdu and Melbourne.
Qantas, Garuda Airlines, Air New Zealand, Thai Airways, China Eastern, Virgin Australia, AirAsia X, Philippines Airlines and Fiji Airways all increased capacity.
On the domestic front, Jetstar delivered the largest domestic seat capacity increase and Tigerair continued to rebuild its services.
A major refurbishment of Virgin Australia’s domestic terminal was completed during the year, including the arrivals and check-in halls, both terminal concourses and 12 gates.
Woodruff said growth in domestic aviation was driving the development of Melbourne Airport’s new T4 domestic terminal, with work on the project now under way.
Also, freight continued to play an important role in Melbourne Airport’s operations, he said.
Melbourne Airport boosted its capital expenditure by 21 per cent to A$249 million during 2012/13, with investments in air side and land side projects, including new apron areas on the airfield, the upgrade of the terminal forecourt, road network upgrades, further expansion of the freight area and a new airside road.
More than A$100 million of development was undertaken in Melbourne Airport’s business park during the year, including new warehousing and logistics facilities for companies including Borders Express, Fellowes, Panalpina and ABR.
Woodruff said Melbourne Airport’s privately funded investment in airport infrastructure in the near future would be more than four times the total revenue earned from car parking last year.
“This will include further upgrades and expansion works to our international terminal, with more space and better facilities for passenger processing, more check-in facilities, and more aircraft gates.”
Total revenue for Melbourne Airport’s owners, Australia Pacific Airports Corporation, increased by nine per cent to A$642 million. Profit before tax and change in the fair value of investment property also increased by nine per cent to A$245 million for 2012/13.
In addition to physical infrastructure, Melbourne Airport has been planning for growth over the next two decades through its 2013 draft master plan.
That plan includes a proposed third runway to be operational around the end of this decade and a long-term solution for ground transport access on the airport precinct with an elevated loop road system.
Woodruff said Melbourne Airport’s investment in new roads, terminals and airfield facilities needed support from all levels of government, particularly to improve access to the airport.
16pc growth in exports is icing on the cake for dominant Melbourne
AirCargo Archive Stories #225
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Melbourne Airport has delivered an overview of its performance over the past year and has detailed its current projects and future plans to an audience of almost 700 people from business, government and the wider community.
Australia’s undisputed freight capital - with 16 per cent growth in freight exports during the year - also posted passenger gains.
Chris Woodruff, its chief executive told the meeting total passenger numbers grew by six per cent during 2012/13 to exceed 29 million passengers.
International passengers increased by five per cent to 7.1 million, while domestic passengers grew by six per cent to 22.7 million.
Airlines with new services included Emirates’ daily A380 between Melbourne and Dubai and Auckland, while Singapore Airlines increased to four daily services between Melbourne and Singapore. Belly hold cargo featured in those decisions.
Local carrier Jetstar reintroduced its service to Honolulu, while Sichuan Airlines commenced direct flights between Chengdu and Melbourne.
Qantas, Garuda Airlines, Air New Zealand, Thai Airways, China Eastern, Virgin Australia, AirAsia X, Philippines Airlines and Fiji Airways all increased capacity.
On the domestic front, Jetstar delivered the largest domestic seat capacity increase and Tigerair continued to rebuild its services.
A major refurbishment of Virgin Australia’s domestic terminal was completed during the year, including the arrivals and check-in halls, both terminal concourses and 12 gates.
Woodruff said growth in domestic aviation was driving the development of Melbourne Airport’s new T4 domestic terminal, with work on the project now under way.
Also, freight continued to play an important role in Melbourne Airport’s operations, he said.
Melbourne Airport boosted its capital expenditure by 21 per cent to A$249 million during 2012/13, with investments in air side and land side projects, including new apron areas on the airfield, the upgrade of the terminal forecourt, road network upgrades, further expansion of the freight area and a new airside road.
More than A$100 million of development was undertaken in Melbourne Airport’s business park during the year, including new warehousing and logistics facilities for companies including Borders Express, Fellowes, Panalpina and ABR.
Woodruff said Melbourne Airport’s privately funded investment in airport infrastructure in the near future would be more than four times the total revenue earned from car parking last year.
“This will include further upgrades and expansion works to our international terminal, with more space and better facilities for passenger processing, more check-in facilities, and more aircraft gates.”
Total revenue for Melbourne Airport’s owners, Australia Pacific Airports Corporation, increased by nine per cent to A$642 million. Profit before tax and change in the fair value of investment property also increased by nine per cent to A$245 million for 2012/13.
In addition to physical infrastructure, Melbourne Airport has been planning for growth over the next two decades through its 2013 draft master plan.
That plan includes a proposed third runway to be operational around the end of this decade and a long-term solution for ground transport access on the airport precinct with an elevated loop road system.
Woodruff said Melbourne Airport’s investment in new roads, terminals and airfield facilities needed support from all levels of government, particularly to improve access to the airport.
