The Australian Government has approved Sydney Airport’s Master Plan, which outlines the airport’s ambitions to improve passenger experience, increase operational efficiency and capacity to 74m passengers in 2033.

 

A major part of the Master Plan includes the integration of new terminal precincts and improvements to ground transport. The approved master plan will cater to the forecast demand of 74m passengers in 2033, an increase from the 38m passengers handled in 2013.

 

Sydney Airport has invested around $2.4bn since 2002, which the operator says has delivered increased service levels, enhanced safety and security, improved environmental outcomes and increased capacity to meet demand.

 

The airport says it will finalise details of the Master Plan 2033 with the federal government, before publishing the plan on the airport’s website within 50 business days as outlined in Section 86 of the Airports Act 1996.

 

[Above: Sydney Airport’s International Terminal.]

 

‘A VITAL ECONOMIC ENGINE’

“Sydney Airport is one of Australia’s most important pieces of infrastructure and is a vital economic engine for Sydney, NSW and Australia,” Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kerrie Mather, said.

 

“The initiatives we outline in the Master Plan 2033 will meet the needs of our customers by delivering a superior passenger experience, improving the efficiency of the airport, enhancing safety and maximising capacity at Sydney Airport.”

 

The plan includes ‘innovative ground transport solutions’ developed in collaboration with the NSW Government that will significantly improve access to the airport and road traffic flow around it

 

“We’ve already commenced planning work on improving traffic flow and reducing congestion to the airport, including a new road and exit for T1,” adds Mather. “The remaining ground transport works – including a new one-way ring road for the T2/T3 precinct – are expected to be completed by 2018, with works commencing shortly.

 

GDP CONTRIBUTION OF $388M

“In addition, we welcome the Australian and NSW governments’ commitment to the construction of WestConnex as a high priority, which will significantly improve access to Sydney Airport from the growth centres of Western Sydney.

 

Since its previous master plan was approved in 2009, SYD says it has been listening to our passengers, airline partners, the aviation industry, government, tourism stakeholders, the business sector and the local community.

 

“We’ve consulted widely with the community throughout the two-year development of our new master plan, facilitating and attending more than 450 meetings with stakeholders to seek their feedback,” says Mather.

 

“Our stakeholders have recognised that this far exceeded consultation undertaken for any previous Sydney Airport master plan, with hundreds of people attending our 20 community information sessions in public areas around Sydney Airport.”

 

“According to a study by Deloitte, Sydney Airport generates or facilitates the equivalent of six per cent of NSW’s economic activity and almost 300,000 jobs. This is forecast to increase to over 400,000 jobs by 2033, with each additional A380 service from China contributing an estimated $388 million of GDP and 5,000 jobs.