A new apron layout has improved Gold Coast Airport’s capacity and flexibility ahead of the peak summer travel period. The $16 million reconfiguration project has created up to four additional aircraft parking spaces.
Four Code C (narrow body) or three Code E (wide body) aircraft positions have been created by the project, which was rolled out in a live operational environment over a period of 19 months.
A major component of the project involved relocation of jet fuel hydrants to align with new parking positions, which was project managed by Caltex. In total, 31 new hydrant points were created for refuelling.
All existing aircraft bays along the front of the terminal were also relocated.
The project required 900m of new underground hydrant pipe to reticulate fuel to be laid, 236 welds on the hydrant pipes, and the creation of two new underground valve chambers. Construction involved more than 20,000 labour hours on the mechanical works side alone.
Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer, Marion Charlton, said that as well as additional capacity, the reconfiguration provided more flexibility during peak times and busy periods.
“The new apron layout gives us the ability to easily switch between narrow and wide body aircraft, depending on demand,” she said.
“Having more parking space also reduces the potential of aircraft having to hold on taxiways while waiting for a parking position to become available.”
Shane Rooney, Manager of the joint venture between Caltex and BP for fuel operations at the airport, said the joint venture was proud to have supported an important project for the future of Gold Coast Airport.
“Safe and reliable fuel infrastructure is a critical part of airport operations, so we are pleased to have worked closely with Gold Coast Airport to successfully deliver a project that will support its growth into the future,” he said.
It follows the airport’s $86 million airside upgrade in 2018, which delivered a 20,000sqm apron expansion to facilitate four additional aircraft and a new taxiway.
