Cairns Airport Redevelopment Project, Queensland, Australia

Cairns Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in Australia (largest regional airport in the country) and forms the gateway to the tropical area of North Queensland and the Barrier Reef (shores of the Coral Sea).

The airport is situated around 7km (four miles) north of Cairns and serves the area between Mount Whitfield and Trinity Bay with international, domestic and general aviation services (including helicopter operators and the Royal Flying Doctor service).

The airport, which operates 24 hours a day, is managed and operated by Cairns Airport Pty Ltd, which has committed A$250m to developing the airport over the next five years. Cairns, a major hub for Qantas, operates flights to the main Australian cities (major tourist destinations) and international destinations in the Asian-Pacific region. Virgin Blue and Jetstar also operate from the airport.

Anna Bligh, Deputy Premier of Queensland, commented: "The domestic market is the bread and butter for the tourism industry and is crucial to the economy of far north Queensland."

There are two terminal buildings on the east side of the airport in separate buildings and also an air traffic control tower. The airport has two runways the north-south runway is 3,196m (10,486ft) and the smaller runway for general aviation is 925m (3,035ft).

Cairns terminal redevelopment

The airport began an extensive terminal redevelopment project in August 2007, which is expected to be completed by 2010. The project initially centred on the domestic terminal and is expected to require an investment of A$200m.

The project includes: new security and passenger handling technology, new baggage screening technology, expansion of baggage handling, self-service check-in terminals and common check-in areas for all the airlines based at the airport, new retail outlets and refurbishment of others, five new aerobridges for all aircraft and new access roads, car parks and pedestrian walkways. The result of the project will be a fully refurbished facility with state-of-the-art facilities.

Contractors

The major contractor for the terminal redevelopment project is Hansen Yuncken who was awarded a A$148m contract for the project in 2007. Airport operations have not been inconvenienced by the construction activity.

Cairns Port Authority CEO Neil Quinn commented: "It is easy to underestimate the amount of planning and effort that is required just to get a project like this off the ground.

"The level of knowledge and expertise of our staff and development consultants has ensured that Cairns Airport can continue to function as a business and tourism gateway while construction activity goes relatively unabated."

The Nuance Group has extended an agreement with the Cairns Port Authority to develop a new concept duty free shop in the new retail area in the domestic terminal (there is also a new lease to 2011).

Cairns Airport security

In 2005-2006 a project was awarded to Connell Wagner for an upgrade project at Cairns Airport. The contract worth A$50m brought the airport up to required Australian Government standards for 100% checked bag screening of all international baggage.

This involved a complete baggage handling upgrade and a major western extension to the international terminal. Additional projects included a new international terminal building loading dock, a second water supply to the airport, and fire and electrical services upgrades.

The eastern concourse of the international terminal building was also extended. It will service gate one and introduce new aerobridge facilities.

Recent developments

The first stage of the $200m domestic terminal redevelopment project currently underway at Cairns Airport was completed late in 2008.

This stage brought online the first 14 counters in what will ultimately be a combined check-in area for all departing domestic flights with 36 counters available, due for completion later this year.

This light, spacious, state-of-the-art area gives the people of Tropical North Queensland and visitors to the region a taste of things to come as the redevelopment continues.

The first half of the new baggage handling facility behind the check-in area is now operational as a new passenger screening point.

The terminal building includes a new first floor which contains airline and administration offices and will eventually house new airline lounges. Two new aerobridges have been installed and three more are to be replaced. Covered walkways are under construction.

The first of the redeveloped departure lounge retail stores, Newslink, incorporating a Hub convenience store, and Discover souvenirs, also opened late in 2008.

As a result of the domestic terminal redevelopment Cairns Airport became the first Australian airport with a terminal fully equipped for barcoded boarding passes making departure through the airport simpler for both passengers and airlines.

Outside the terminal, car park works are nearing completion and a new bank of parking spaces for people with a disability is located front and centre of the car park.

Further construction work

Construction work is now focused on the second half of the baggage handling facility and the departures lounge with more updated retail stores coming online progressively, starting with Beach Culture and Purely Merino. Work on access roads is also continuing.

The final stage of the redevelopment will focus on construction of a combined arrivals hall, including baggage claim.

Upon completion in late 2010, the Cairns Airport domestic terminal redevelopment will deliver:

• Extension and reconfiguration of the existing terminal to accommodate new and expanded facilities, providing a new state of the art building double the size of the current terminal with 20,000m² more floor space. A 133% increase in overall size from 18,400m² to 42,900m².
• Expansion of the departures area including more retail variety. Departure lounge area will increase from 3,439m² to 6,614m². Retail outlets will increase from 13 to 21 and the retail space will increase by 31%.
• A common-user check-in area with 36 counters. Area increased by 78% to 2,281m² and common baggage handling and baggage claim areas
• New airline and administration office facilities and airline lounges as well as enhanced retail and commercial opportunities for airport tenancies.

There will also be the replacement of three aerobridges and ramps and the addition of two new aerobridges. In addition, the aircraft parking aprons will be widened and the airside roadways relocated.

Public art displays will feature works by locally based artists that represent the diverse geographical and cultural mix present in Tropical North Queensland.

Ecologically sustainable development features incorporated into the redevelopment include the selection of materials that are energy efficient and require minimal ongoing maintenance. The airport is working with a sustainable design retail fit-out guideline with minimum requirements for material selection to avoid the use of rainforest timbers and ensure use of energy-efficient lighting and water-reduction fittings.