Perth Airport

This article is about an airport in Australia. For other uses, see Perth Airport (disambiguation).
Perth Airport
IATA: PER – ICAO: YPPH
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Government of Western Australia
Operator Perth Airport Pty. Ltd.
Serves Perth, Western Australia
Location Perth Airport, Western Australia
Hub for
Focus city for
Elevation AMSL 67 ft / 20 m
Coordinates 31°56′25″S 115°58′01″E / 31.94028°S 115.96694°E / -31.94028; 115.96694Coordinates: 31°56′25″S 115°58′01″E / 31.94028°S 115.96694°E / -31.94028; 115.96694
Website www.perthairport.com.au
Map
YPPH

Location in Perth

Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
03/21 3,444 11,299 Asphalt
06/24 2,163 7,096 Asphalt
Statistics (YE June 2015)
Passengers 13,984,204 [1]
Aircraft movements 141,256 [2]

Perth Airport (IATA: PER, ICAO: YPPH) is a domestic and international airport serving Perth, the capital and largest city of Western Australia. It is located in the eponymous suburb Perth Airport and is adjacent to the suburbs of Belmont and Redcliffe (to the west).[3]

Since 1997, it has been operated by Perth Airport Pty Limited, a private company (formerly Westralia Airports Corporation Pty Ltd) under a 99-year lease from the Commonwealth Government. It is regarded as Australia's most versatile airport.[4]:p 48 Perth Airport is a privately owned company with more than 75% of shares held for the benefit of Australian superannuants.

It is the fourth busiest airport in Australia[5] and services Australasian and Indian Ocean destinations, as well as Johannesburg, Auckland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Guangzhou, Doha, Hong Kong and Christchurch.

The airport has seen strong passenger growth in the last few years, primarily due to the state's prolonged mining boom and an increase in traffic from international low-cost carrier airlines. In the year ended June 2012, Perth Airport experienced passenger growth of 11.7% internationally and 6.9% domestically, resulting in an overall increase of 10.3% was recorded.

Passenger numbers have trebled in the past 10 years with more than 12.6 million people travelling through the airport in 2012. Based on the average growth rate, this figure will double to 24 million by 2019. The first mining boom in 1979 had 679,000 passengers use the airport. This number now travels through the airport every three weeks.

In 2012, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released a report rating the Perth Airport as the worst in Australia, as judged by airlines. The same report rated it below satisfactory for the second year in a row.[6]

Locations

The two domestic terminals (known as Terminal 3 and Terminal 4) are side by side and about 12 km (7.5 mi) from the Perth CBD, while the international terminal and domestic pier is 17 km (11 mi) from Perth. Terminal 2 is the new regional terminal located just south of Terminal 1.

The domestic and international terminals are located separately, 11 km (6.8 mi) apart, and connected by a road – Dunreath Drive – an internal road connection within the airport boundaries. All aircraft arrive and depart on the same runway system.

History

Early days

Perth International Airport Official Aerodrome Chart
Perth Airport with city centre behind, image taken from the Darling Scarp looking west

Prior to the opening of the Perth Airport, civilian air services for the city were provided from Maylands Airport located in Maylands (in operation since 1924), as well as on the city's foreshore at Langley Park.[7] By the end of the 1930s, it became clear that the Maylands Aerodrome was limited in the size and speed of aircraft it was able to handle thus causing them to seek an alternative site for a future airport.[7]

Site selection and preparation of the original plans was undertaken by Mr N M Fricker of the Department of Civil Aviation.[8] In 1938, land was selected and purchased for the new aerodrome. The site selected in what was at the time Guildford, was an area of land granted by Governor James Stirling to local man John Scott, which later became the long disused Dunreath Golf Course.[7][8]

A plaque located on a roadside wall of the old International terminal remains in permanent memory of Scott:[8]

“ Perth Airport stands on part of an area granted originally by Governor James Stirling to John Scott. A yeoman farmer from Lanarkshire, Scotland who arrived in Western Australia in March 1831, after a voyage of about 90 days in the schooner Eliza of 343 tons. He came at the invitation of the governor, to establish and maintain a bloodstock farm for the colony. He made his home near Guildford, using the Swan River to reach the farm in this area.

In recognition of his services Governor Stirling granted him lease of an area at Bunbury, where he became the first settler in 1838.

Remember him as one who helped to bring prosperity to this land.[8]

 ”
— Text of roadside plaque in memory of John Scott.

Military operations

Even before civil aviation operations could commence at the new site, the onset of World War II saw the facility being redesigned for military purposes as a temporary base for the Royal Australian Air Force and United States Navy, known as "RAAF Station Guildford", primarily to supplement RAAF Base Pearce.[7] Royal Australian Air Force No. 85 Squadron was based there from February 1943.

Despite military use of the airfield, civil services operated by Qantas Empire Airways and Australian National Airways (ANA) commenced from the location in 1944.[7] This was despite bitter protest from military authorities who felt civilian operations would undermine the defence and camouflage needs of the location.[7]

The move was agreed to by the government of the day, as the larger types of aircraft of the day being operated by the two airlines could simply not be handled at Maylands, notwithstanding the small grass airfield, lack of passenger facilities, and approaches being difficult due to surrounding industrial infrastructure.[7] Using Douglas DC-3 aircraft, ANA flew the first commercial service from the aerodrome to Adelaide.[7] On 17 June 1944, Qantas made its inaugural flight to Ceylon via Exmouth using a modified Liberator bomber, arriving in Perth on 3 June 1944 having been released to the airline by the British Government.[7]

Early civilian operations

An ANA DC-4 refuelling at Perth Airport in 1955.

Full civilian operations at the Guildford Aerodrome commenced in 1944.[8] Civil operations at Maylands continued albeit reduced until 30 June 1963, when the airport closed and its function as a secondary airport was taken over by Jandakot Airport the very next day.[7]

The Guildford Aerodrome as it was then known was at best only a basic airfield.[7] On a large open airfield with plenty of space, an unobtrusive control tower was hidden away amongst a collection of buildings inherited from the wartime operations at the site.[7] The then Department of Civil Aviation inherited a large number of operating vehicles from the former military occupants, including an assortment of vehicles including "Blitz" wagons, Dodge command cars and weapon carriers, large trucks and various makes of fire tenders, jeeps and ambulances.[7] Boarding aircraft at Guildford was described as being a bit like boarding a bus given the lack of passenger facilities at the time.[7]

In 1948, the Horrie Miller owned MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co. (MMA) relocated from Maylands to Guildford.[7] followed by newly formed government airline Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) on 2 December of that same year, operating Douglas C-54 Skymasters on its Perth – Melbourne – Sydney route.[7] Due to the lack of road transportation across the Nullarbor Plain, it was at this time that Guildford became the scene of very busy cargo operations.[7] Fresh fruits, vegetables, and manufactured goods were being flown from east to west and back again.

The airport only received international status and was renamed to Perth International Airport in 1952.[7] Officiated by the then Federal Minister for Civil Aviation, Hubert Anthony, the official ceremony for the renaming took place on the main apron in front of a converted Bellman hangar used by TAA as their passenger terminal.[7] At the time, a new international terminal building was under construction but had not been completed in time for the ceremony.[7] This new terminal was being constructed using steel and cladding recycled from American-built military quonset buildings being dismantled and shipped over from Manus Island.[7]

It was also on this day that Qantas commenced its Wallaby service using the Constellation Charles Kingsford Smith" (VH-EAD) from Sydney to South Africa via Western Australia, the Cocos Islands, and Mauritius.[7]

The jet age

Towards the mid-1950s, airline travel was still only being used by a small percentage of the population. At that time, only 8% of the population had ever flown, but as the marketplace evolved, so did the types of people and their reasons for flying.[7]

It was at this time the airport began to experience the full effects of the jet age. Although both Air India and Qantas commenced operating Boeing 707s in the mid to late 1950s from Perth to Singapore and the sub continent[7] the aircraft of the day grew faster and more demanding due to their sophistication, facilities at the airport continued to improve to accommodate them.[7] By the mid-1960s the airport commenced seeing its first domestic pure jet engine aircraft, commencing with a Boeing 727 in 1964, and the Douglas DC-9 in 1967, both types operated by TAA and Ansett ANA.[7] It was at this time that the airport was one of the few major airports in the country which operated without curfews, and due to the increased number and frequency of flights operating from the airport it gave birth to what was then referred to as the midnight horror or red-eye special, known in more recent history as the red-eye flight.[7]

Demise of the hangar terminals

In 1960, the current international terminal previously constructed from steel and cladding from Manus Island was dismantled and then re-erected in the suburb of Cannington.[7] Known as The Alco Building, it was re-designed for use as a commercial facility.[7]

The removal of the steel structure made way for the construction of an entirely new combined domestic and international passenger terminal, constructed on the northern side of the airfield.[7] It was in 1962 that airlines were able to move from their hangars into a new combined passenger terminal, designed by the Commonwealth Department of Works and opened just in time to handle 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games traffic increases.[7][8] The new combined terminal was opened that same year by then Minister for Civil Aviation, Senator Shane Paldridge; it was located in an area positioned between Terminals 3 and 4 and is currently used as the crew base for both Qantas and Skywest, and offices for airlines and support firms.[7][9]

International terminal development

From 1962 onwards, both the domestic and international passenger operations at the airport were provided by a single terminal.[9] However, by the arrival of the Boeing 747 on 3 September 1971, the existing terminal had reached its capacity, and modelling of future passenger numbers showed it would be unable to handle any further increases in passenger demand.[7][9]

In November 1980, the Federal Transport Minister, Ralph Hunt, announced that a new international terminal would be built in Perth at a cost of A$26 million (1980).[7] Design of the new International Terminal commenced in 1982, with one of the key principles of the design being the allowance for easy future expansion as the needs of the airport dictated.[9] The project called for the construction of a new terminal, apron, airside roads, access roads, car parks and other passenger facilities.[9]

Construction of the new International Terminal and control tower commenced in March 1984 on the south-eastern side of the airfield.[9] In 1984, the road leading to the new terminal, Horrie Miller Drive was named in honour of local aviation pioneer Horrie Miller.[10] The terminal was officially opened on 25 October 1986 by then Prime Minister Bob Hawke, with the new terminal receiving passengers just days after.[7][9] The newly built control tower was the tallest in Australia at its time of construction, and remains to be the tallest in Australia.[11]

Upon completion, the terminal was able to process up to five Boeing 747 aircraft per hour and accommodated a peak passenger volume of 6,000 passengers per hour.[9] Twenty years later, in the 12 months to June 2006 the terminal processed over 2.027 million passengers, surpassing a 1996 projection of 1.016 million passengers in that period.[9]

1988 onwards

In the late 1980s the Federal Government, as a prelude to eventual privatisation, formed the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC). In 1988, FAC took over as manager of Perth Airport (and many other Australian airports).[7]

At this time also, airline operators Qantas and Ansett set about on ambitious capital works programs to construct new domestic terminals for their respective airlines on the northern side of the terminal, where they still stand to this day.[7]

The airport control tower, built in 1987

In 2001, after the financial collapse of Ansett, the Ansett terminal became a multi-user terminal, catering for flights from former Ansett-subsidiary Skywest, as well as Virgin Australia and now charter airlines including Alliance Airlines and previously Strategic Airlines (traded as Air Australia).

From 2003 to 2004, the International terminal underwent major internal refurbishments to provide an increased array of passenger services, including increased space for duty-free stores and food and beverage concession stands.[9] Further upgrades valued at $25 million (2006) were made to the terminal across 2005 and 2006 which added an additional 2,500 m² of floor space, additional check-in counters, and an improved baggage handling and screening system.[9]

The airport commemorated its 60th anniversary in 2004, with an event that opened the new Taxiway Sierra, a new taxiway supporting larger aircraft such as the Boeing 747, Airbus A340, and potentially the Airbus A380 to operate at the airport.[12]

On 11 October 2007, Perth International Airport received the first test flight out of Terminal 3 at Changi International Airport, Singapore. The test flight was a Singapore Airlines flight that departed Changi Airport at 5:30 pm, landing in Perth at 11:30 pm.

On 14 October 2008, the Airbus A380 made its first visit to the airport as a part of the Qantas A380 promotional tour around Australia. The second A380 to visit the airport was an Emirates aircraft which made an emergency landing on 15 August 2009, after a passenger on the Dubai to Sydney flight suffered a stroke.[13]

On 1 February 2013, Qatar Airways was due to commence the first commercial service of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft into Australia on its daily services from Perth to Doha. However, due to the worldwide grounding of the 787 this was delayed indefinitely.[14]

Philippine Airlines commenced flights from Manila to Perth on 2 June 2013, but were later withdrawn in September 2013.

Emirates were to start the first Airbus A380 service to Perth from Dubai in early 2014 when the construction of a dual level boarding gate and other expansions to the terminal, including a new Emirates business class lounge, are completed. Emirates was originally scheduled to commence A380 operations in late 2013, however in June 2013 the airport revealed a 5-month delay in the terminal expansion project. While the A380 gate complex itself is due to be completed in November 2013, the airport will not have the capacity to facilitate A380 operations until the other upgrades are completed in March 2014.[15][16] However, on December 16, 2014, Emirates announced that they will commence A380 operations to Perth in May 2015 with one of its three daily flights.[17]

Airlines and destinations

As of November 2015, Perth Airport is served by 34 scheduled airlines flying to over 50 destinations. The following carriers operate to the following destinations:[18][19][20][21] A total of 1258 scheduled domestic and regional flights arrive and depart from Perth Airport each week. On the international front, a total of 213 scheduled [22] international flights arrive and depart from Perth Airport each week.

Passenger

AirlinesDestinationsTerminal
AirAsia X Kuala Lumpur–International 1
Air Mauritius Mauritius 1
Air New Zealand Auckland
Seasonal: Christchurch 		1
Airnorth Darwin, Kununurra 4
Alliance Airlines Charter: Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Leinster, Leonora, Mount Keith, Newman, Port Hedland, Telfer, The Granites 2
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong 1
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou 1
Cobham Charter: Barrow Island, Kambalda, Granny Smith, Murrin Murrin GA
Emirates Dubai-International 1
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi 1
Garuda Indonesia Denpasar, Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta 1
Indonesia AirAsia Denpasar 1
Jetstar Airways Adelaide,[23] Cairns, Gold Coast,[24] Melbourne, Sydney 3
Jetstar Airways Denpasar, Singapore 1
Jetstar Asia Airways Singapore 1
Malaysia Airlines Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur–International 1
Malindo Air Kuala Lumpur–International 1
Maroomba Airlines Mount Magnet GA
Qantas Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Canberra, Darwin, Geraldton, Exmouth, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Melbourne, Newman, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland, Sydney
Charter: Christmas Creek, Cloudbreak, Ginbata		 4
Qantas Singapore[25]
Seasonal: Auckland[26] 		1
Qantaslink Broome, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland
Charter: Christmas Creek, Cloudbreak, Coyote, Ginbata, Leinster, Morawa, Solomon 		4
Qatar Airways Doha 1
Regional Express Airlines Albany, Esperance (both begin 28 February 2016)[27][28] 2[29]
Scoot Singapore[30] 1
Singapore Airlines Singapore 1
Skippers Aviation Burnakura, Darlot-Centenary, Carnarvon, Jundee, Kalbarri, Laverton, Lawlers, Leinster, Leonora, Meekatharra, Monkey Mia/Shark Bay, Mount Magnet, Plutonic, Sunrise Dam, Wiluna GA
South African Airways Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo 1
Thai Airways Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi 1
Tigerair Australia Melbourne, Sydney[31] 2
Tigerair Australia
operated by Virgin Australia 		Denpasar (begins 23 March 2016)[32] 1
Virgin Australia Adelaide, Brisbane, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Darwin, Denpasar (ends 24 March 2016), Karratha, Newman, Melbourne, Port Hedland, Sydney 1
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines Albany (ends 27 February 2016),[33] Broome, Derby, Esperance (ends 27 February 2016),[33] Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, Onslow, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland 2

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
Australian airExpressMelbourne
Toll PriorityBrisbane, Melbourne

Charter and mining airlines

These airlines provide regular charters for mining companies in Western Australia:

Prospective Flights

Both All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines are both intending to serve Perth as its next Australian destination from Tokyo, both services will possibly be served with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and will commence sometime in the near future.[34][35] Qantas are also planning to use Perth for non-stop flights to Europe in the coming years. The airline is planning a 14,000 km Perth to London service which would be served on their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and is expected to start in 2017.[36]

Facilities and services

A Qantas A330-300 docked at Terminal 1. Terminals 3 and 4 are visible in the background.
International Terminal 1 arrivals area in the early morning.
A Qantas 767-300ER departs Perth Airport's Runway 21 with the Perth CBD in the background
The international terminal with a Thai Airways Airbus A330-300 and a South African Airways Airbus A340-300 parked. The domestic terminals are in the background.

Perth Airport has four main terminals and one minor terminal:[37]

Runways

Flights are serviced by two runways – the main 03/21 runway, 3,444 m × 45 m (11,299 ft × 148 ft) and 06/24, 2,163 m × 45 m (7,096 ft × 148 ft).

After a 10-month project, a reconstructed cross runway was opened on 21 October 2005.[39] The upgrades involved significant strengthening works and enlargement of turning nodes to accommodate regular operations by wide bodied aircraft, including the Airbus A380.[39]

Meteorological services

Meteorological services for Perth Airport commenced in May 1944, provided by the Guildford Meteorological Office situated at Ivy St, Redcliffe.[40]

In March 1988, surface observations were moved to the recently vacated old airport tower on the northern side of the airfield (near what is now Terminal 3).[40] The Ivy Street location was retained for a time for radar services and the launching and tracking of weather balloons.[40] In October 1997, all operations from the Ivy Street Office and Old Control Tower were transferred to a newly constructed office on the Northern Perimeter Road in Belmont, in the north-eastern corner of the airfield.[40]

Landing patterns and approach

Perth Airport resides within the Melbourne FIR, which is managed by Melbourne Centre and operated by Airservices Australia.[41]

Perth Approach Control then guides the aircraft to their final approach. Once an aircraft is established on its final approach, control is handed over to Perth Tower.

Transport

For more details on this topic, see § 2024_Airport_Masterplan.

Road access to the domestic terminals from the CBD is via Great Eastern Highway and Brearley Avenue. The international terminal access is via Tonkin Highway and Horrie Miller Drive. Both the domestic and international terminals are serviced by a number of private charter bus operators that can be normally accessed through most major CBD hotels. Transperth operate route 37 to Kings Park via Belmont Forum and Perth City,[42] and route 40 to the Elizabeth Quay Bus Station via the Great Eastern Highway and Victoria Park bus station,[43] both from Terminal 4, and route 380 to Perth City via Belmont Forum from Terminal 1.[44] The airport is not currently serviced by rail, however the construction of the Forrestfield-Airport Link will connect the airport to the Midland Line.[45][46] Construction is scheduled to commence in 2016, with the line opening in 2020.[47]

Observation areas

Viewing platform on Dunreath Drive

There are two dedicated spotting areas at Perth Airport. The T1 International Terminal houses an Observation Deck on Level 3 to view departing and arriving aircraft. It has vending machines, toilets and FIDSs.

The second spotting area is to the west side opposing the threshold of Runway 03 located along Dunreath Drive. The public viewing area has a shelter in the shape of the body section of a Boeing 747, and displays of information about the history of aviation.[48]

Other services

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has its Perth regional office on Level 2 of the Hkew Alpha Building on the property of Perth Domestic Airport.[49]

Since May 2014, terminals T1 International, T2 Regional and T3 Domestic have a free wi-fi connection currently powered by iiNet. It is accessible throughout the entirety of the departure and arrival areas. Currently, T4 Qantas Domestic also has a free-wifi service provided by Qantas.

The Royal Automotive Club of WA has a purpose-built driver training facility, which is the only one of its kind in the state at Perth Airport. It is located towards the east of the current T1 International Terminal on Grogan Road. The RAC Driving Centre is set on over thirty hectares of land.[50]

Operations and statistics

Qantas Boeing 737 in Yanani Dreaming colours being prepared for departure from Terminal 4.
QantasLink serves many smaller cities in Western Australia and Northern Territory with its Boeing 717s (operated by Cobham from Terminal 4.)

Total

Total passengers using the airport has increased on average by 5.8% annually since 1998–99, with 70% of passenger traffic at the airport attributed to domestic travel.[5]

Annual passenger statistics for Perth Airport[5]
Year Domestic International Total
1998–99 3,222,957 1,453,914 4,676,871
1999–00 3,374,136 1,516,842 4,890,978
2000–01 3,554,930 1,607,385 5,162,315
2001–02 3,168,747 1,597,721 4,766,468
2002–03 3,615,822 1,573,543 5,189,365
2003–04 4,154,561 1,734,238 5,888,799
2004–05 4,579,101 1,945,686 6,524,787
2005–06 5,025,504 1,979,750 7,005,254
2006–07 5,785,370 2,191,721 7,977,091
2007–08 6,474,249 2,477,820 8,952,069
2008–09 6,759,279 2,599,969 9,359,248
2009–10 7,010,711 2,981,877 9,992,588
2010–11 7,644,447 3,245,081 10,889,528
2011–12 9,140,418 3,492,160 12,632,578
2012–13 9,990,727 3,763,677 13,664,394
2013–14 9,843,341 4,118,239 13,961,580
2014–15 9,790,464 4,193,740 13,984,204

Domestic

Busiest domestic routes into and out of Perth Airport (2014)[51]
Rank Airport Passengers % change
1 Melbourne2,160,700Decrease 2.2
2 Sydney1,798,900Decrease 0.1
3 Brisbane1,062,000Increase 4.3
4 Karratha695,200Decrease 3.7
5 Adelaide616,400Decrease 1.3
6 Port Hedland 488,700Increase 7.6
7 Newman369,000Decrease 17.8
8 Broome300,300Decrease 5.9
9 Kalgoorlie216,900Decrease 0.1
10 Darwin181,000Increase 6.1

International

Busiest international routes out of Perth Airport (2014)[52]
South African Airways Airbus A340-600 landing at Perth Airport
Rank Airport Passengers handled % Change
1Singapore, Singapore-Changi1,047,892Increase 3.7
2Indonesia, Denpasar869,442Increase 1.5
3United Arab Emirates, Dubai544,258Increase 14.3
4Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur–International517,030Increase 11.5
5Hong Kong, Hong Kong215,843Increase 2.6
6New Zealand, Auckland177,049Increase 2.6
7Qatar, Doha176,170Increase 21.0
8South Africa, Johannesburg146,692Increase 12.2
9Thailand, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi108,484Decrease 21.8
10United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi70,622 New route

Accidents and incidents

During construction

On 13 April 1987, a Hiller 12E helicopter was being used for the installation of a rotating beacon atop the control tower, then under construction. The beacon was attached to the helicopter for lifting by a chain sling. After the beacon had been lifted into place, workers disconnected the chain sling from it. As the helicopter was departing,

The hook on the sling became snagged on the tower guard rail ... causing it to pitch nose down and roll to the right. With the cable being tensioned by the pull of the helicopter the hook freed itself [and sprang] towards the helicopter. The cable flew up around the tail boom and became entangled in one of the main rotor blades. The other main rotor blade severed the tail boom which fell free of the helicopter striking the side of the tower on its way to the ground. The major section of the helicopter then fell to the ground at the base of the tower, caught fire and was burnt out.[53]

The accident resulted in the death of the helicopter pilot. The subsequent investigation conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Board, found that the pilot's licence was not endorsed for sling loading operations and he was not sufficiently current on the aircraft type ... to undertake such a job.[53]

Accidents en route

On 2 July 1949 a Douglas DC-3, named Fitzroy, departed from Perth Airport for Carnarvon. Moments after takeoff it crashed about a mile north of the airport, killing all 18 people on board. It was Western Australia's worst civil aviation accident.

On 26 June 1950 a Douglas DC-4 Skymaster, named Amana, departed from Perth Airport for Adelaide, South Australia. It crashed 22 minutes later, near York, Western Australia, killing 28 of the 29 occupants. The sole survivor died in a Perth hospital five days later. This accident and the TAA Fokker Friendship disaster remain Australia's worst civil aviation accidents.

Redevelopment plans

2024 Airport Master Plan

The 2024 airport master plan[54] aims for the domestic and international terminals to be consolidated into a single terminal on the south-eastern side of the airfield sometime between 2021 and 2024.[55] At present, the international and domestic terminals are on opposite sides of the airfield and are not directly connected through a regular public transport passenger service. While it is possible to travel by road between the two terminals, it is approximately an 11 kilometre (7 mi) distance between the two locations by public roads.

The 2024 master plan calls for the completion of a rail link[56] that will connect with the Midland Line between Bayswater Station and Ashfield Station at the Tonkin Highway. The proposed rail link will continue above ground along Tonkin Highway to Great Eastern Highway where it is believed to go underground along Brearley Avenue and to the terminals in operation at completion of the line. A rail link to the airport was originally proposed in the 1990s by nearby local government bodies, however the proposal was not followed through at the time. In 2014, the rail link plan received its final approval from the state government, and is expected to be complete by 2020, with construction starting in 2016. The rail link however will be entirely underground, contradicting the original plan of it being partly underground and party above ground.[57]

In 2008, Westralia Airports announced their intention to complete a A$1 billion upgrade project which addresses key elements of the masterplan.[58] The announced plans will see the domestic and international terminal merge, as flagged within the original plans for the construction of the international terminal, a project likely to be completed within seven years.[58]

2014 Airport Master Plan

Perth Airport is advancing on a number of new terminal developments which will ultimately see all international and domestic operations consolidated into the current T1 international terminal area, renamed Airport Central. It is anticipated to be completed around 2020.

Consequently, other key developments for the airport outlined in the master plan include the construction of a new International Pier at the eastern end of T1, T2 being progressively expanded to meet demand, a new domestic terminal to be located to the east of the current T1 building – in the final stage of the consolidation of all commercial air services, construction of a new runway, building multi-storey car parks and commercial office space and significant upgrades to airport roads, including passenger access via Airport Drive.

The construction of a third runway, parallel to the current 03/21 has also been brought forward due to "unprecedented growth" and is anticipated to be operational by the end of the decade.

The master plan also anticipates construction of the planned rail link to the airport with the authority committed to work with the government of Western Australia to finalise the route and station locations for the proposed Forrestfield-Airport rail link. The state government has planned that the rail link be operational in 2020.[59]

Intrastate terminal: T2

The first phase of the masterplan involved the delivery of a facility formerly known as Terminal WA (now T2) which was officially opened on 28 February 2013, with the first flights operating out of the terminal on 2 March 2013.

Construction commenced during late 2011, with combined works to deliver the new terminal valued at $120 million (2010).[60] This will significantly reduce activity in the domestic precinct, further improving the experience for Qantas and Virgin Australia customers and facilitating continued growth for these airlines.

The new single story terminal has been designed to provide;[60]

Consideration of environmental needs has been planned into the building design, with systems including rainwater harvesting and re-use, and establishment of ventilation systems delivered below ground to reduce energy costs.[60]

Current tenants: Tigerair Australia, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines and Alliance Airlines.[61]

International terminal

Redevelopment of the international terminal has also commenced, scheduled for completion in 2014 at a cost of over $165 million.[62] The redevelopment will include an expanded check-in hall, a refurbished departure area and an A380 gate, which Emirates used for the first time in 2015.

Virgin Australia domestic pier

The most significant of the three redevelopment projects is the new domestic pier located at T1, which will become the exclusive home to Virgin Australia. Virgin Australia's partner, Etihad Airways began daily direct services from its hub in Abu Dhabi on 16 July 2014.[63] Transfers between domestic and international legs currently requires a 20-minute bus ride, the new pier will ensure quicker and more seamless transfers between the two airlines. The pier will also be connected to Terminal 2 via an elevated walkway allowing seamless transfer to Virgin's regional services without having to be re-screened. The pier opened on the 22nd of November.[64]

Third runway

Consultation with airlines on the timing and design of the new runway is now largely complete. During the next two years, extensive community consultation will be undertaken and approvals will be sought in accordance with the Airports Act 1996. An additional period of approximately two years will be required to construct the new runway, assuming approvals are granted. The construction of the new runway (03R/21L) is scheduled for completion in 2019, subject to demand. The new runway will be 2,700 metres long and 45 metres wide, running parallel to the existing main runway and located between the current International Terminal (T1) and Abernethy Road.[65]

Airport Drive

Construction has commenced on a new access road, to be called Airport Drive, into what will become Airport Central (the consolidated precinct) around Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal (T2). Airport Drive will connect to the Tonkin/Leach Highway interchange that is being constructed as part of the Gateway WA project. Airport Drive will provide direct access to Long Term and Short Term car parks, and both T1 and T2. Airport Drive was opened on 13 April 2015.[66]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Airport Statistics". Perth Airport. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  2. ↑ Airport Statistics
  3. ↑ maps 345 and 375 identify the locality Greater Perth street directory (54th ed.), Ausway Digital, 2012, retrieved 12 March 2015
  4. ↑ Air passenger movements through capital city airports to 2025–26, Working Paper 72 of the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, May 2008
  5. 1 2 3 Airport Traffic Data 1985–86 to 2010–11
  6. ↑ "Perth Airport worst in Australia, again". PerthNow. 17 May 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Perth Airport 1944–1994, 50 Years of civil aviation. Mascot, New South Wales: Federal Airports Corporation. 1994.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Flamer, Gabriel (November 1962). My big brother – A First History of Perth Airport. Graylands, Western Australia: Graylands Teachers College.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "20 Year Anniversary of Terminal 1 (International) – 1986 to 2006". Westralian Airports Corporation. 2006. p. 2. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
  10. ↑ "Access road to new International Airport to be named Horrie Miller Drive in honour of WA pioneer aviator". The West Australian. 1 December 1984. p. 40.
  11. ↑ "Perth Tower". Airservices Australia, Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  12. ↑ "Perth Airport celebrates 60th anniversary of first international service" (PDF). Westralian Airports Corporation. 16 June 2006. p. 1. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
  13. ↑ "A380 in emergency Perth landing". WAtoday. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  14. ↑ "Qatar Airways' Dreamliner flight to Perth in doubt, as 787s are grounded". The Australian. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  15. ↑ "Airport setback holds up A380s". The West Australian. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  16. ↑ "Airport delays Emirates again". The West Australian. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  17. ↑ "Emirates brings A380 to WA". Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Domestic & Regional". Westralian Airports Corporation. Retrieved 7 July 2007.
  19. ↑ "International". Westralian Airports Corporation. Retrieved 7 July 2007.
  20. ↑ "Freight & Cargo". Westralian Airports Corporation. Retrieved 7 July 2007.
  21. ↑ Paige Taylor (9 November 2011). "Flight marks first direct link between Perth and China". The Australian.
  22. ↑ "2015 - August". Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  23. ↑ Jetstar quits Lombok Perth Brisbane Flights. blogs.crikey.com.au (10 June 2014). Retrieved on 15 July 2014.
  24. ↑ http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/special-offers#/?from=&to=&date=&sale=new%20routes%20sale&price=
  25. ↑ http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/qantas-brings-back-perth-to-singapore-route-from-june-26/story-fnhocxo3-1227307792404
  26. ↑ Qantas launches new Auck-Perth service. NZ Herald. Retrieved on 14 August 2013.
  27. ↑ http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/11/rex-named-as-preferred-tenderer-for-two-wa-govt-contracts/
  28. ↑ http://airlineroute.net/2016/01/01/zl-per-feb16/
  29. ↑ http://www.rex.com.au/FlightInfo/check_in.aspx
  30. ↑ http://aegwaspotters.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/scoot-confirms-perth-services-from-12.html?m=1
  31. ↑ Australian Aviation – Tigerair to start Sydney-Perth. Australianaviation.com.au. Retrieved on 27 September 2013.
  32. ↑ http://ypphupdates.com/2015/08/07/tigerair-australia-to-begin-international-operations-in-late-march-2016/
  33. 1 2 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-24/virgin-pulls-out-of-albany2c-esperance-routes-tender-process/6800622
  34. ↑ "All Nippon Airways hints at Perth service".
  35. ↑ "Japan Airlines mulls future Perth service".
  36. ↑ "Qantas plans non-stop flights from Perth to London". Traveller. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  37. ↑ "About Perth Airport". Westralian Airports Corporation. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  38. ↑ "Qantas Expands Lounge at Perth Airport". DomesticFlightAustralia.com.
  39. 1 2 "Cross-runway at Perth Airport re-opens, A380 ready!" (PDF) (Press release). Westralian Airports Corporation. 21 October 2005. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
  40. 1 2 3 4 "About Perth Airport Meteorological Office". Bureau of Meteorology, Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
  41. ↑ "Melbourne Centre". Airservices Australia, Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  42. ↑ Route 37 timetable Transperth
  43. ↑ Route 40 timetable Transperth
  44. ↑ Route 380 timetable Transperth
  45. ↑ 8km Forrestfield-Airport Link tunnel revealed Government of Western Australia 9 August 2014
  46. ↑ Perth rail link approved Railway Gazette International 13 August 2014
  47. ↑ Forrestfield-Airport Link Public Transport Authority August 2014
  48. ↑ Public viewing area at official website. Accessed 16 May 2012.
  49. ↑ "Contact Us." Australian Transport Safety Bureau. Retrieved 20 May 2011. "Perth Regional Office Level 2, Hkew Alpha Building, 2 George Wiencke Drive, Perth Domestic Airport, WA 6105"
  50. ↑ "Venue Information and location." Retrieved 05 Jan 2015.
  51. ↑ "Domestic aviation activity 2014" (PDF). Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE). April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015. Refers to "Regular Public Transport (RPT) operations only"
  52. ↑ "International airline activity" (PDF). bitre.gov.au. 2015. Retrieved May 2015.
  53. 1 2 Hiller UH12E, Perth WA, 13 April 1987: Investigation Number:198700097 at Aviation safety investigations & reports, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, 5 November 1987
  54. ↑ "2024 Airport Masterplan, Perth Airport". Westrailia Airports Corporation. p. 1. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
  55. ↑ "2024 Passenger Facilities Development Plan, 2024 Masterplan, Perth Airport" (PDF). Westrailia Airports Corporation. p. 1. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
  56. ↑ "Public Transport Link Option, 2024 Masterplan, Perth Airport" (PDF). Westrailia Airports Corporation. p. 1. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
  57. ↑ Joe Spagnolo (10 August 2014). "Perth Airport rail link to start in 2016 and be finished by 2020, says WA Premier Colin Barnett". Sunday Times. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  58. 1 2 Creedy, Steve (2 May 2008). "Westralia cash flow to fund terminals". The Australian. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  59. ↑ Truss approves Perth Airport masterplan at Australian Aviation. Accessed 19 Apr 2015.
  60. 1 2 3 "Airport redevelopment". Westralian Airports Corporation. Archived from the original on 4 April 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  61. ↑ "T2 DOMESTIC TERMINAL". Perth Airport. Perth Airport Pty Ltd. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  62. ↑ Transforming The International Experience at official website. Accessed 16 May 2012.
  63. ↑ Beattie, Fraser. "Etihad opens flights from Perth to Abu Dhabir". Online. Business News. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  64. ↑ "New airport terminal 'world class'". Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  65. ↑ The third runway at official website. Accessed 03 Jan 2015.
  66. ↑ Important Information at official website. Accessed 19 Apr 2015.

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