Perth Airport outlines future expansion plans

Perth Airport has laid out its vision for the future of aviation including a multi-billion dollar investment in new infrastructure, cementing its position as one of the most important assets in Western Australia.

The Perth Airport Master Plan 2026 forecasts the number of direct and indirect jobs generated by the airport will almost triple from 27,300 in 2024 to 75,400 by 2046.

At the same time, Perth Airport’s annual contribution to the State’s economy will surge from A$6.2 billion in 2024 to A$17 billion in 2046.

Perth Airport CEO, Jason Waters, says the Master Plan 2026 details the airport’s enormous potential for Western Australia with a forecast 30 million passengers per year by 2046.

“Perth Airport is already a major generator of jobs and economic growth in Western Australia and when Perth Airport grows, the Western Australian economy grows,” notes Watson.

“We have begun work on the largest private investment in infrastructure in Perth’s history which will be delivered over the course of this five-year plan.

“The time for talking is over. We are now delivering a once in a generation construction programme that will completely change the face of Perth Airport and take Western Australia into the future.

“This will unlock the full potential of the resources sector and its extraordinary pipeline of new projects worth more than A$100 billion.It will create a vast array of new tourism, business and trade opportunities for Western Australia and deliver new property development opportunities on the airport estate.

“Most importantly it will provide Western Australians with a world class travel experience within ‘One Airport’ and deliver our airline partners the capacity and efficiencies they need to grow their businesses.”

The Perth Airport Master Plan 2026 – which is now out for public comment – outlines the multi- billion-dollar investment programme that will deliver:

Two multi-storey car parks and improvements to the road network; an expansion of Terminal 2; a 237-room hotel to be operated by Accor; a new 3,000 metre runway located parallel to the existing main runway; and an expansion of Terminal 1 International and new domestic terminal facilities for Qantas Group operations.

Waters is quick to point out that Master Plan 2026 also details a range of commitments by the airport to ensure that its growth is responsible and sustainable.

“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and the Master Plan confirms our commitment to Net Zero by 2032 – aligning with the delivery of the major capital projects portfolio,” he says.

“Our Master Plan also details how we will work with Airservices Australia, all levels of government and the aviation industry to actively manage aircraft noise exposure and its effect on the surrounding community, while balancing the need for critical and safe air services.

“Noise modelling has been produced for current and future operations, including a revised Australian Noise Exposure Forecast which was endorsed by Airservices Australia earlier this month.

“The Plan also provides information on current flight paths and indicative flight corridors for the new runway and future parallel runway operations.

“An important part of the Master Plan process is our public engagement, and we are committed to a transparent and effective community engagement process for the Master Plan.

“We want to speak with the community about our plans as it will change the face of Perth Airport.”

Perth Airport’s Master Plan 2026 forecasts that between FY25 and FY46:

• Annual passenger numbers will grow from 17.48 million to 30.8 million
• Annual aircraft movements will increase from 160,800 to 222,800 movements, and
• Domestic and international air freight could grow from 138,000 tonnes to between 164,000 and 269,000 tonnes.