Manila and Melbourne Consider Budget Terminals

Airports in Melbourne, Australia, and Manila, the Philippines, are considering building new passenger terminals for budget airlines.

Officials at Melbourne Airport are in discussions with Jetstar Airlines to build a multimillion-dollar, low-cost carrier terminal at Tullamarine.

The expansion forms part of Melbourne's masterplan, which is undergoing consultation.

Melbourne Airport spokesman Geoffrey Conaghan says the upgrade, which would take five years to complete, would need to be considered alongside the A$330m development of the international terminal T2.

Manila International Airport Authority officials are planning to build a US$4.6m budget terminal at Manila Domestic Airport in Pasay City, Philippines.

Work is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2008, to be completed in March 2009.

The new terminal will not have any airbridges, but will transfer passengers to aircraft by bus.

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh