Adelaide Airport has released its 2019 Preliminary Draft Master Plan which outlines its plans for infrastructure, job creation and sustainable economic development over the next 20 years.
The airport has grown significantly as a major economic and employment generator in South Australia and this growth is expected to continue over the next two decades.
Over the next 20 years, forecasts indicate that passenger numbers will grow to 19.8 million – including 3.3 million international travellers – while air freight will almost triple from 58,500 tonnes to 146,000 tonnes.
Infrastructure projects that will help assist with the expected passenger growth are estimated to be underway or completed over the next five years.
These projects include the domestic and international terminal expansion (currently under construction), and a freight and logistics hub in the Airport East Precinct to the south of the main runway with dedicated access via Richmond Road.
Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Mark Young, said a lot had been achieved in the past five years.
“Adelaide Airport remains one of the fastest growing domestic and international airports in Australia, and since 2014 we’ve attracted major new airlines such as Qatar Airways and China Southern.
“We’ve also built the new Atura Hotel, commenced a major terminal expansion project and attracted major companies to our precinct such as OZ Minerals, Australian Clinical Labs, Otis, Kennards Self Storage, Aldi and AFL Max.
“The growth of Adelaide Airport is inextricably linked to the development of South Australia. We play an essential role in the economic prosperity and development of the state through creating jobs and supporting business, tourism and leisure activities.
“We are planning and building appropriate levels of infrastructure to stay ahead of this growth and maintain our reputation as one of Australia’s most modern airports.
“The Master Plan is one of our most important documents in that it is our primary planning tool for the next eight years, while presenting our long-term strategic plans until 2039.
“Looking forward, we see the completion of the terminal expansion project in 2021 and the creation of a freight and logistics hub in our Airport East Precinct as important goals for our business.”
Mr Young said the Master Plan was just one part of Adelaide Airport’s ongoing consultation with the community, with regular stakeholder consultative committees and community updates just two of the ways the airport reached out to the local community.
“Ultimately, this Preliminary Draft Master Plan seeks to provide, to the best of our current knowledge and forecasts, clarity and certainty on growing and developing Adelaide Airport in a well-planned and logical manner, which is consistent with our central role in the development of the state as a key infrastructure asset.
“The Master Plan is about the art of the possible, not probable. It does not dictate what will be built, but rather what can be built based on growth conditions and stakeholder considerations.”
The Adelaide Airport 2019 Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) is on public display until 28 October 2019.
