Former Perth Airport chief executive Graham Muir has called on current airport management to fast-track the development of an integrated domestic and international airport terminal in line with its now 20-year-old master plan.
Former Perth Airport chief executive Graham Muir has called on current airport management to fast-track the development of an integrated domestic and international airport terminal in line with its now 20-year-old master plan.
Mr Muir, who was chief executive of Perth Airport from 1997 to 2006, said that, with the airport’s strong net profits and debt restructure, it could now make the necessary capital expenditure.
Record passenger growth, combined with diversification into property, have lifted Perth Airport’s operating revenue from $76.8 million in 2000-01 to $136.4 million in 2005-06.
Late last year, the airport completed a $770 million refinancing, the largest in its history, to help fund its growth.
“The terminal is bursting at the seams,” Mr Muir said. “The master plan for the airport has always been that the domestic terminal would relocate to the international precinct, and an integrated terminal structure would be developed.”
Mr Muir called for immediate action on upgrading the airport, urging the industry to put pressure on Qantas, Westralia Airports and others to make the decision to build the integrated terminal structure.
“We have a window of opportunity now to do something,” he said.
“We can’t afford to have this go on for another 10 years before the airlines and Westralia Airports reach an agreement about the design and the cost recovery model.”
Qantas WA regional general manager Ian Gay also expressed concern over the airport, but recommended the consideration of a long-term vision on capital works and funding, in addition to implementing immediate improvements.
“The airport is certainly an issue,” Mr Gay said. “We need to spend money in the interim period, but we also need a vision where the airport is going to be, and that our major investment is for the next 20 years, not the next two years.”
Mr Gay said Qantas had experienced strong growth in its transcontinental business, and had been trying to increase capacity by putting 747s on its east coast routes.
Australian Hotels Association executive director Bradley Woods said the length of queues for check-in and security screenings at the airport were “appalling”.
Since 2001, Perth Airport has experienced cumulative passenger growth of 10 per cent per year.
In 2005-6, a record 7.1 million people travelled through Perth Airport. Domestic travel has been particularly strong, experiencing 53 consecutive months of passenger growth.
Last month, Perth Airport announced a four-year $275 million capital works program aimed at improving facilities across its entire 2,105-hectare estate.
Current projects include the $8 million expansion of regional aviation facilities and the $300,000 upgrade of Terminal 3, which currently services Virgin Blue, Skywest, and newcomers Alliance Airlines and OzJet.
Future projects will include $120 million aeronautical infrastructure upgrades, $100 million on property and estate development, including an office park and an electrical substation, and $41 million on commercial development, including new retail outlets inside terminals, more car parking and better car rental facilities.
