Adelaide Airport’s $165m Expansion Gets Green Light

Adelaide Airport has unveiled a $165 million upgrade to its international terminal, bolstering its retail and restaurant offerings and adding an additional 16,500sq m of floor space.

The expansion is the next stage of the $1 billion Adelaide Airport expansion master plan, which was approved by the federal government in 2015.

Construction will commence immediately, with the focus on improving passenger experience as ASX-listed builder Watpac starts work. Watpac delivered the $76 million Adelaide Airport Landside Infrastructure project in 2013.

The new international arrivals area will include VIP facilities, a premium international lounge and expansion of office space for terminal tenants.

The expansion will also see the refurbishment and 80 per cent increase of the terminal’s retail and dining areas.

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Adelaide Airport managing director Mark Young said passenger numbers had increased by 50 per cent in the 13 years since the existing terminal opened.

“Our international passenger numbers alone have almost tripled over the same period.

“This extraordinary growth means we need to keep growing our existing facilities. While we still have sufficient gate capacity to meet future forecast growth in the number of flights, we’re reaching capacity within the terminal.”

The airport is also working on developing a direct service to the west coast of America. More “medium-term” aspirations include increasing the number of direct flights into China.

The larger Adelaide Airport masterplan includes a 250-room hotel and office complex to better facilitate forecasts of an annual 3 per cent increase in aircraft movements into Adelaide over the next 20 years.

Annual passenger numbers are forecast to increase to 14.1 million by 2034 for domestic flights alone.

Adelaide Airport chairman Rob Chapman said the upgrade would open up more options when negotiating new services and destinations for the airport.

“We believe Adelaide Airport has the best airport terminal in Australia, and this expansion will allow us to continue to offer the high level of customer service that our travellers expect.”

South Australia’s Tourism Minister David Ridgway has welcome the expansion, saying it will help grow the state’s tourism industry.

"This redevelopment will enhance South Australia’s ability to attract more international airlines and accommodate an increase in the frequency of air services in the future – all of which will help grow our economy and support more jobs.

“It’s certainly very encouraging to see private sector investment of this scale in South Australia and I would like to congratulate Adelaide Airport on this significant investment.”