Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport
Kingsford Smith Airport
Sydney Airport Logo.png
Sydney Airport (2004) By Air.jpg
IATA: SYDICAO: YSSY
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Sydney Airport Corporation Limited
Serves Sydney
Location Mascot, New South Wales, Australia
Hub for
Elevation AMSL 21 ft / 6 m
Website www.sydneyairport.com.au
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
07/25 2,530 8,301 Asphalt
16L/34R 2,438 7,999 Asphalt
16R/34L 3,962 12,999 Asphalt
Source: AIP[1]

Sydney Airport (also known as Kingsford Smith Airport) (IATA: SYDICAO: YSSY) is located in the suburb of Mascot in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is the major airport serving Sydney, and is a major hub for Qantas.

Sydney Airport is one of the oldest continually operated airports in the world,[2] and the busiest airport in Australia, handling 33.4 million passengers[3] and 298,964 aircraft movements in 2008.[4] It was the 28th busiest airport in the world in 2009. The airport is managed by Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL) and the current CEO is Russell Balding.

Situated next to Botany Bay, the airport has three runways, colloquially known as the "East-West", "North-South" and "Third" runways.

Contents

History

1920 to 1930 - Early History (see also Mascot history)

The area that the airport was situated was originally a bullock paddock.[5]

Nigel Love, a former wartime pilot, was looking into the possibilities for aviation in Australia. He was interested in establishing the nation's first aircraft manufacturing company, this required him to establish a factory and an aerodrome close to the city.

His search for a potential site eventually led him to a real estate office in Sydney which was aware of some land owned by the Kensington Race Club (that was kept as a hedge against losing its government-owned site at Randwick). It had been used by a local abattoir, which was closing down, to graze sheep and cattle.

This land appealed to Love, the surface was perfectly flat and was covered with a pasture of buffalo grass. This grass which had been grazed so evenly by the sheep and cattle running on it that it required little to make it serviceable to land aircraft. In addition, the approaches on all four sides had no obstructions, it was bounded by a racecourse, gardens, a river and Botany Bay.

Love established Mascot as a private concern, leasing 200 acres (0.81 km2) from the Kensington Race club for 3 years. It initially had a small canvas structure but was later equipped with an imported Richards hangar.

The first flight from Mascot was on November 19, 1919 when Love carried freelance movie photographer Billy Marshall up in an Avro. The official opening flight took place on January 9, 1920, also performed by Love.

In 1921 the Commonwealth Government purchased 161 acres (0.65 km2) in Mascot for the purpose of creating a public airfield. In 1923, when Love's 3-year lease expired, the Mascot land was compulsorily acquired by the federal government from the racing club.[5]

The first regular flights began in 1924.

1930 to 1960

In 1933, the first gravel runways were built.

Cooks River was diverted away from the area in 1947-52 to provide more land for the airport and other small streams were filled.

When Mascot was declared an aerodrome in 1920 it was known as Sydney Airport, in 1953 it was renamed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport in honour of Charles Kingsford Smith, a pioneering Australian aviator.

1960 to 2000

By the 1960s the need for a new international terminal had become apparent, and work commenced in late 1966. The new terminal was officially opened on 3 May 1970, by Queen Elizabeth II.

The first Boeing 747 'Jumbo Jet' to serve the airport, Pan American's 'Clipper Flying Cloud' (N734PA), arrived on 4 October 1970. In the 1970s the north-south runway was expanded to become one of the longest runways in the southern hemisphere. The international terminal was expanded in 1992 and has undergone several refurbishments since then.

By the 1960s, the limitations of having only two runways that crossed each other had become apparent. Various governments grappled with Sydney's airport capacity for decades. Eventually, the controversial decision to build a third runway was made. The third runway was built parallel to the existing main "North-South" runway entirely on reclaimed land from Botany Bay). A proposed new airport on the outskirts of Sydney was shelved indefinitely.

Following completion, the "third runway" (as it is known to Sydneysiders) remained controversial because of increased aircraft movements, especially over many inner suburbs. The 1990s saw the formation of the No Aircraft Noise Party, although it failed to win a parliamentary seat in any of the elections it contested. There has been general acquiescence in the arrangements for Sydney Airport that were introduced by the Howard government shortly after its election, namely to -

  1. maintain curfews (extremely limited jet movements between 2300-0600H)
  2. rotate runway operation, and fan flightpaths out (instead of concentrating them, as had previously been the case)
  3. use, whenever possible, flightpaths over water, especially Botany Bay
  4. continue the use of noise abatement (reduced power settings, etc) on departure.

2000 to 2010

In 2002, the Australian Government sold Sydney Airports Corporation Limited (later renamed to Sydney Airport Corporation Limited, SACL), the management authority for the airport, to Southern Cross Airports Corporation Holdings Ltd. 82.93% of SACL is owned by MAp Airports International Limited, a subsidiary of Macquarie Bank, Sydney Airport Intervest GmbH own 12.11% and Ontario Teachers' Australia Trust own 4.96%.[6] SACL holds a 99 year lease on the airport which remains Crown land.

Since the international terminal's original completion, it has undergone two large expansions. One such expansion is underway and will stretch over twenty years (2005–2025). This will include an additional high-rise office block, the construction of a multi-level car park, the expansion of both the International and Domestic Terminals. These expansions—and other plans and policies by Macquarie Bank for airport operations—are seen as controversial as they are performed without legal oversight of local councils, which usually act as the local planning authority for such developments.

As of April 2006, some of the proposed development has been scaled back.[7]

Sydney Airport's International terminal underwent a 500 million dollar renovation that was completed in mid 2010. The upgrade includes a new baggage system, an extra 7300 sq metres of space for shops and passenger waiting areas and other improvements.[8]

In March 2010 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released a report sharply critical of price gouging at Sydney airport, ranking it fifth out of five airports. The report noted Sydney Airport recorded the highest average prices at $13.63 per passenger, compared to the lowest of $7.96 at Melbourne Airport, while the price of short-term parking had almost doubled in the 2008-09 financial year, from $28 to $50 for four hours. The report also accused the airport of abusing its monopoly power.[9]

Terminals

Sydney Airport has three passenger terminals. The International Terminal is separated from the other two by a runway, therefore connecting passengers need to allow for longer transfer times. Sydney Airport requires Minimum Connection Times:

The airport provides a shuttle service between the terminals at a cost of AUD$5.50.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 was opened on May 3, 1970, replacing the old Overseas Passenger Terminal (which was located where Terminal 3 stands now) and has been greatly expanded by then. Today it is known as the International Terminal, located in the airport's north western sector. It has 29 gates (Concourse B with 8-37 and Concourse C with 50-63) served by aerobridges, as well as a number of remote bays. It can accommodate the Airbus A380, which fly routes to Singapore (Singapore Airlines), London via Singapore and Los Angeles (Qantas), Dubai and Auckland (Emirates). The terminal building is split into three levels, one each for arrivals, departures and airline offices. The terminal also has an observation deck located on the rooftop. The terminal hosts six airline lounges: Two for Qantas, and one each for Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Emirates. The terminal underwent a major $500 million redevelopment that was completed in 2010, by which the shopping complex was expanded.

Terminal 2

Aerial view of the Domestic side of the airport
A pair of Boeing 727 cargo aircraft in front of the former Domestic Express terminal

Terminal 2, located in the airport's north-eastern section, was the former home of Ansett Australia's domestic operations. It features 15 parking bays served by aerobridges and a number of non-contact bays. Today it serves Virgin Blue, Jetstar, Tiger Airways, Regional Express Airlines, Aeropelican Air Services and Qantaslink services operated by Eastern Australia Airlines. There are lounges for Qantas, Virgin Blue and Regional Express Airlines.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is a domestic terminal, serving Qantas and Qantaslink flights to Canberra. Originally, it was home for Trans Australia Airlines (later named Australian Airlines). Like Terminal 2 it is located in the north-eastern section. The current terminal building is largely the result of extensions made during the late 1990s. There are 14 parking bays served by aerobridges, including two served by dual aerobridges. Terminal 3 features a large Qantas Club lounge, along with a dedicated Business Class and Chairmans lounge.

Other Terminals

Sydney Airport had a fourth passenger terminal, east of Terminal 2. This was formerly known as Domestic Express and was used by Regional Express Airlines; and low-cost carriers Virgin Blue and the now-defunct Impulse Airlines; during the time Terminal 2 was closed following the collapse of Ansett Australia. It is now used by DHL Express and Tasman Cargo Airlines as an office building.

The dedicated Freight Terminal is located north of Terminal 1. It is used for international freight operations, except for Tasman Cargo Airlines' trans-Tasman services.

Airlines and destinations

Control tower
The facade of the International terminal departures level
Signage at the entrance to the Domestic side of the airport
Qantas jet on taxiway with aircraft viewing area and Botany Bay beach in foreground
Airlines Destinations Terminal
Aerolineas Argentinas Auckland, Buenos Aires-Ezeiza 1
Aeropelican Air Services Cooma (Snowy Mountains), Mudgee, Narrabri, Newcastle 2
Aircalin Nouméa 1
Air Austral Nouméa, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Saint-Denis de la Réunion 1
Air Canada Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver 1
Air China Beijing-Capital, Shanghai-Pudong 1
Air Mauritius MauritiusNote 2 1
Air New Zealand Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Rarotonga, Rotorua, Wellington 1
Air Niugini Port Moresby 1
Air Pacific Nadi 1
Air Tahiti Nui Papeete [seasonal] 1
Air Vanuatu Port Vila 1
Asiana Airlines Seoul-Incheon 1
British Airways Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, London-Heathrow, Singapore 1
Cathay Pacific Airways Hong Kong 1
China Airlines Taipei-Taoyuan 1
China Eastern Airlines Shanghai-Pudong 1
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou 1
Delta Air Lines Los Angeles 1
Emirates Auckland, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Christchurch, Dubai 1
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi 1
Garuda Indonesia Denpasar/Bali, Jakarta 1
Hawaiian Airlines Honolulu 1
Japan Airlines operated by JALways Tokyo-Narita 1
Jetstar Adelaide, Avalon, Ballina, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Ho Chi Minh CityNote 1, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sunshine Coast, Townsville 2
Jetstar Auckland, Christchurch, Denpasar/Bali, Gold Coast, Honolulu, Melbourne, Nadi [10], Phuket 1
Korean Air Seoul-Incheon 1
LAN Airlines Auckland, Santiago de Chile 1
Malaysia Airlines Kuala LumpurNote 2 1
Norfolk Air operated by Our Airline Norfolk IslandNote 2 1
Philippine Airlines ManilaNote 2 1
Polynesian Blue Apia 1
Qantas Adelaide, Auckland, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Buenos Aires-Ezeiza, Brisbane, Christchurch, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, London-Heathrow, Manila, New York-JFK, Nouméa, Queenstown, San Francisco, Shanghai-Pudong, Singapore, Tokyo-Narita 1
Qantas Adelaide, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock/Uluru, Brisbane, Broome [seasonal], Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Karratha, Melbourne, Perth 3
Qantas operated by Jetconnect Auckland, Wellington 1
Qantas operated by QantasLink Albury, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Lord Howe Island, Mount Hotham [seasonal], Moree, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga 2
Qantas operated by QantasLink Canberra 3
Regional Express Airlines (REX) Albury, Ballina, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Grafton, Griffith, Lismore, Merimbula, Moruya, Narrandera, Orange, Parkes, Taree, Wagga Wagga 2
Singapore Airlines Singapore 1
Thai Airways International Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi 1
Tiger Airways Australia Adelaide, Avalon [begins 10 November][11], Gold Coast, Melbourne 2
United Airlines2 Los Angeles, San Francisco 1
Vietnam Airlines Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City 1
V Australia Abu Dhabi [begins February 2011],[12] Los Angeles, Nadi [ends 18 October][13] 1
Virgin Atlantic Airways Hong Kong, London-Heathrow 1
Virgin Blue Adelaide, Albury, Ayers Rock/Uluru, Ballina, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hervey Bay, Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Perth, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Townsville 2
Virgin Blue operated by Pacific Blue Auckland, Christchurch, Denpasar/Bali, Nadi[14], Nuku'alofa, Port Vila, Queenstown, Wellington 1

Cargo

Airlines Destinations Terminal
Australian air Express Melbourne Note 3
Cathay Pacific Cargo Hong Kong, Melbourne Freight
DHL Express operated by Tasman Cargo Airlines Auckland Note 3
FedEx Express Guangzhou, Honolulu Freight
Korean Air Cargo Guangzhou, Seoul-Incheon Freight
MASkargo Kuala Lumpur Freight
Qantas Freight operated by Atlas Air Hong Kong, Honolulu, Shanghai Freight
Qantas Freight operated by Air Transport International Auckland, Christchurch Freight
Singapore Airlines Cargo Singapore Freight
Toll Priority operated by Airwork Melbourne Note 3
UPS Airlines Anchorage, Nadi, Honolulu, Los Angeles Freight
Notes
International cities with direct passenger airlinks to Sydney

Curfew

In 1995 the Australian Government passed a law through parliament entitled "The Sydney Airport Curfew Act", which limits the operating hours of the airport. This was done in an effort to curb complaints about aircraft noise. The curfew prevents aircraft from taking off or landing between the hours of 11pm and 6am. A limited number of scheduled and approved take-offs and landings are permitted respectively in the "shoulder periods" of 11pm to midnight and 5am to 6am, by Section 12 of the Act.

During extreme weather, flights are often delayed and it is often the case that people on late flights are unable to travel on a given day. Fines for violating curfew have been levied against four airlines, as of 2009 with a maximum fine of $550 000 applicable.[15]

Second airport proposals

Qantas Boeing 747-300 landing at the airport

Sydney has sought a second airport since 1964.[16] Between 1987 and 2000 domestic flights through Sydney have more than doubled to nearly 27 million, and international passengers served increased from 8 million to 15 million. Close to half of all scheduled flights in Australia take off or land at Kingsford Smith. In 1998 the airport handled 45% of international passengers in Australia.[17]

The Commonwealth has bought most of the required land in a proposed site at Badgerys Creek, west of Sydney. This site would be accessible by the Westlink M7 motorway. There are currently three proposals for the airport layout, featuring different arrangement of terminals in the centre of the proposed three runways.

The issue of a second airport for Sydney arose again after the Rudd government was elected in 2007. Convinced that capacity at the current airport will be exhausted, it sought a new site. It is believed that various options, including a freight-only airport operation, will be considered. Camden, converting part or all of Richmond and Canberra will be investigated for feasibility, while Bankstown and Badgerys Creek, according to sources, will not.[18]

Operations

Busiest Domestic Routes out of Sydney Airport (YE June 2010)[19]
Rank Airport Passengers handled  % Change
1 Victoria (Australia) Melbourne Airport 7,644,000 increase12.2
2 Queensland Brisbane Airport 4,333,100 increase1.6
3 Queensland Gold Coast Airport 2,295,900 increase7.4
4 South Australia Adelaide Airport 1,721,000 increase10.9
5 Western Australia Perth Airport 1,525,200 increase5.4
6 Australian Capital Territory Canberra International Airport 1,073,800 increase9.2
7 Queensland Cairns Airport 844,200 decrease4.4
8 Tasmania Hobart International Airport 488,000 increase2.0
9 Queensland Sunshine Coast Airport 420,500 decrease15.5
10 New South Wales Coffs Harbour Airport 299,200 decrease0.2
11 New South Wales Ballina Airport 267,100 increase1.1
12 New South Wales Albury Airport 241,400 increase3.5
Busiest International Routes out of Sydney Airport (Year ending December 2009)[20]
Rank Airport Passengers handled  % Change
1 New Zealand Auckland Airport 1,324,776 increase8.1
2 Singapore Singapore Changi Airport 1,047,563 increase3.4
3 Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport 925,934 increase1.2
4 United States Los Angeles International Airport 730,350 increase36.4
5 Thailand Suvarnabhumi Airport 600,455 decrease5.8
6 New Zealand Christchurch International Airport 572,366 increase5.7
7 United Kingdom London Heathrow Airport 505,144 decrease6.5
8 United Arab Emirates Dubai International Airport 330,561 increase20.0
9 United States San Francisco International Airport 330,088 increase12.4
10 Fiji Nadi International Airport 326,080 decrease2.4

The top 4 busiest international routes to/from Sydney, in terms of passengers carried for the year ending May 2010 are: Auckland- 1,380,617 passengers (increase11.3%), Singapore-1,078,746 (increase0.3%), Hong Kong- 916,387 (decrease3.1%) and Los Angeles- 840,741 (increase54.9%).[21] For the year ending June 2010, Sydney Airport served 11,106,946 international passengers (increase7.4%)[22] and 23,641,600 domestic passengers (increase5.8%).[23]

Prospective users and routes

Transport

Rail

The airport is accessible by via the Airport Link underground rail line. The International railway station is located below the International terminal, while the Domestic railway station is located under the car park between the domestic terminals (Terminal 2 and Terminal 3). While the stations and are part of the Cityrail suburban network, they are privately owned and operated by the Airport Link consortium. As a result passengers are required to pay a station access fee or 'gate fee' of $11.80. This fee is added to the price of the distance based train ticket or paid for separately in the case of daily or weekly tickets.[32] [33]

The trains that service the airport are regular suburban trains. Unlike special airport trains at other airports, these do not have special provisions for customers with luggage, do not operate express to the airport and may have all seats occupied by commuters before the trains arrive at the airport.

Bus

Sydney Buses run Route 400 from Burwood to Bondi Junction railway stations and stops at the International and Domestic terminals. It connects the eastern suburbs, Inner West and St George areas to the airport.[34]

Private shuttle buses also service the airport from the Sutherland Shire, Blue Mountains and Central Coast.

Road

Sydney Airport, being located within a dense urban area, has road connections in all directions. Southern Cross Drive (M1), a motorway, is the fastest link with the city centre. The only other motorway, the M5 South Western Motorway (including the M5 East Freeway) links the airport with the south-western suburbs of Sydney.

A ring road runs around the airport consisting of Airport Drive, Qantas Drive, General Holmes Drive, M5 East Freeway and Marsh Street. General Holmes Drive features a tunnel under the main north-south runway and three taxiways as well as providing access to an aircraft viewing area. Inside the airport a part-ring road — Ross Smith Avenue (named after Ross MacPherson Smith) — connects the Domestic Terminal with the control tower, the general aviation area, car-rental company storage yards, long-term car park, heliport, various retail operations and a hotel. A perimeter road runs inside the secured area for authorised vehicles only.

Pedestrian and Bicycle

The International Terminal is located beside a wide pedestrian and bicycle path. It links Mascot and Sydney City in the north-east with Tempe (via a foot bridge over Alexandra Canal) and Botany Bay to the south-west. All terminals offer bicycle racks and are also easily accessible by foot from nearby areas.

Accidents and incidents

See also

References

  1. YSSY – SYDNEY/(Kingsford Smith) (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 26 August 2010.
  2. Fact Sheet Sydney Airport
  3. Passenger Traffic for past 12 months Sydney Airport
  4. Sydney Airport - An Overview Sydney Airport
  5. 5.0 5.1 Steve Creedy (November 24, 2009). "Bullock paddock grew to nation's busiest air hub". The Australian. News Corp. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/bullock-paddock-grew-to-nations-busiest-air-hub/story-e6frg95x-1225799888484. Retrieved 2010-02-07. 
  6. http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/Ownership.html
  7. Sydney Morning Herald. 21 April 2006 issue
  8. http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/sacl/International-Terminal---Expansion-and-Upgrade.html
  9. Matt, O'Sullivan (12 March 2010). "ACCC slams price gouging at Sydney Airport". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/accc-slams-price-gouging-at-sydney-airport-20100311-q1lj.html. Retrieved 12 March 2010. 
  10. . http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091209-714160.html. 
  11. http://www.tigerairways.com/au/en/index.php
  12. A330s, Etihad alliance for Virgin Blue as profit meets expectations, Australian Aviation online, retrieved 26 August 2010
  13. http://www.virginblue.com.au/AboutUs/Media/NewsandPressReleases/P_013219.htm
  14. http://www.virginblue.com.au/Personal/Bookings/Timetables/index.htm
  15. Creedy, Steve (2009-05-06). "Jetstar fined for airport curfew breach". news.com.au (News Limited). http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25436950-5014090,00.html. Retrieved 2009-05-31. 
  16. "Second Sydney Airport — A Chronology". www.aph.gov.au. http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/chron/2003-04/04chr02.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-23. 
  17. Philip Laird (2001). Where We Are Now. UNSW Press. p. 29. ISBN 086840411X. 
  18. Farr, Malcolm (May 5, 2008). "Search on for second Sydney airport". The Daily Telegraph (www.news.com.au). http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23645809-5001021,00.html. Retrieved 2008-07-23. 
  19. Domestic airline activity
  20. International airline activity
  21. http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/11/Files/0510_M.pdf
  22. http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/11/Files/0610_M.pdf
  23. http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/23/Files/Domestic%20Monthly%20Airline%20Activity%20publication%20Jun%202010.pdf
  24. [1]
  25. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=460653
  26. http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=95480&nav=130
  27. http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=99950&nav=130
  28. http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/newsroom/archive/press-release-11Mar09.html
  29. [2]
  30. [3]
  31. http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=106977&nav=130
  32. "Sydney Airport Link". Airport Link. http://www.airportlink.com.au/. Retrieved 2010-02-06. 
  33. "Sydney Airport". Rail Corp. http://www.cityrail.info/travelling_with/places_to_go/sydney_airport. Retrieved 2010-02-06. 
  34. "Sydney Buses Timetable - Burwood to Bondi Junction". Sydney Buses. http://www.sydneybuses.info/uploads/File/pdfs/regular_timetables/400_410tt.pdf. Retrieved 2010-02-06. 
  35. Job, Macarthur (1992). Air Crash, Volume 2. Weston Creek, ACT: Aerospace Publications. p. 153. ISBN 1 875671 01 3. 
  36. "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19611130-1. Retrieved 2 October 2009. 
  37. "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19940424-0. Retrieved 2 October 2009. 

External links