Tullamarine & Avalon pics, info & discussion [Archive]

silvermb

October 28th, 2003, 01:32 AM

Overseas airlines support Victoria - Qantas reduces Melbourne international seats 27 October 2003

Today’s new international airline schedule provides a welcome boost for Victorian tourism, with international seats up 16 per cent compared to the previous schedule.

But Melbourne Airport CEO, Chris Barlow, said the extra capacity has come from overseas airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, China Eastern, Vietnam Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

Qantas has pulled over 50,000 seats out of Melbourne over the last two Northern Winter schedule periods, cutting its Melbourne seats back to just 35 per cent of the number they offer out of Sydney, where seats increased by over 120,000 in the same period. In this new schedule, Qantas will operate 3.8 per cent less seats than the same schedule period last year, which was a 9 per cent reduction on the previous year.

“As Australia’s national carrier continues to pull direct international seats out of Melbourne, this strong commitment to Victoria from our overseas airlines is particularly important,” said Mr Barlow.

“Direct services at Melbourne Airport are more convenience for passengers, preventing the need for a terminal change by bus in Sydney.”

“Direct services also prevent a return to the bad old days when overseas travel in this country was predominantly via Sydney. This is important for inbound tourism, as Victoria benefits from international tourists starting or finishing their holiday here,” said Mr Barlow.

“Melbourne Airport is committed to increasing international tourism to Victoria and improving service to our international passengers. I welcome the support from our overseas airlines in this aim, as Qantas makes that job harder.”

Over the past few years, Qantas has reduced its direct international seats at Melbourne whilst increasing Sydney seats, forcing more Melbourne passengers to fly domestic to Sydney for Qantas international services.

This is a commercial decision by Qantas to develop its Sydney hub, but it does not meet the needs and demands of Melbourne passengers or the Victorian Tourism Industry.

“Qantas is a valuable business partner to Melbourne Airport, and we have successfully worked together to grow domestic tourism, but we can develop both domestic and international growth. It doesn’t have to be one or the other,” said Mr Barlow.

“The increased capacity in this new schedule confirms Victoria as a strong, high-demand tourism market internationally, which can easily support additional services.”

“I urge Melbourne passengers to get behind these new direct seats and to support the airlines that offer them. I also urge Qantas to put more direct international seats into Victoria.”

Qantas international services, Northern Winter schedule period (November - March inclusive)

Northern Winter 2002
Melbourne -8.9%
Sydney +8.8%

Northern Winter 2003
Melbourne -3.8%
Sydney +3.5%

i remember the good old days when QF flew nonstop from Melb to Johannesburg, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh, Denpasar, Bangkok and Osaka and same plane services to Rome, Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur....they weren't that long ago.

Ansett would have done the job from Melbourne if they were still around. Their flights from Melb were to KL, Jakarta, Denpasar, Hong Kong and the odd Osaka flight.

Just on Emirates, their second daily flight was supposed to commence this week, due to Qantas the govt have allowed Emirates to introduce the second daily flight from next year on a staggered basis.

QF are basically shitting bricks about Emirates. From mid next year EK will have daily nonstop flights to Dubai from Sydney and Melbourne with their new A340-500 (syd from this december) plus twice daily from perth with the 777. That means a one stop service to just about every main destination in Europe, QF and British airways could never match this, thats why the govt steps in to protect Qantas to an extent.

by not doing much at Perth, Melb and Brisbane QF will find it very hard to recrack these markets with their own services with all the excellent asian airlines (Singapore, Malaysia, Cathay) and Emirates taking up the slack in these markets.

bearbrass

October 28th, 2003, 07:20 AM

I also reckon Qantas will miss out badly in the Melbourne market by favouring Sydney.
There are plenty of very good airlines flying from Tullamarine now unlike 30 years ago when Qantas was one of few options, so this downgrading by Qantas will only serve to hurt them in the future.
I have never travelled with Emirates but people who have reckon they are terrific.

JayT

October 29th, 2003, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by silvermb
for anyone interested, the following are the upcoming flight changes for Tulla which take effect with the intro of daylight savings.

*air china, 3>4 weekly
*china eastern, 0>2 weekly (dec)
*cathay pacific, 7>13 weekly
*china southern, 1>2 weekly, planned daily service long term and will bring down their freighters a few times a week soon enough

mel/syd have all three mainland chinese airlines, brisbane have none (ha ha). id expect china southern to relaunch brisbane mid next year

*air new zealand, 28>35
*australian airlines, 1>2
*lauda/austrain, 2>3 next year
*emirates, 7>14 march next year, at least 7 go on to auckland
*freedom air, 6>10
*maskargo, 2>3
*singapore airlines, 16>19 from january
*qantas reintroduces daily nonstops from hong kong and tokyo after sars, and has a temporary second daily service from hong kong to Melb via sydney
*thai introduces three melb-phuket weekly
*air paradise already 2>4 weekly
*pacific blue have supposedly asked for daily auckland-melb and christchurch-melb from mid next year
the only reduction is Garuda back to three weekly

jayt seven new airlines, i can only think of pacific blue, china airlines and emirates, what are the rest?

i think you'll find melb will still be comfortably ahead of brisbane for a long time yet. the only problem (only from a variety viewpoint) with melb is that you dont get alot of new airlines, but the established carriers seem to consistently stack on extra flights and thats where the big growth in passengers comes from
LOL you have no idea what your talking about?

Chinese airlines have been flying into Brisbane for years. Cathay and that one with the red whie and blue pheonix on it anyway.

Emirates has just started services between Dubai and Auckland via Brisbane - Monday.
China Southern and China Eastern are expected to start services before christmas.
Virgin looks set to start flights from Brisbane to NZ.
Australian looks set to start international flights from both Brisbane and GC.

There were a few others but I can't remember what they were.

Most international airlines are increasing services and extending services to Sydney and New Zealand via Brisbane if they have not already done so.

It would be really good if Brisbane was like Melbourne and only had one airport - we have 3 and two of them are international so we spread the traffic out.

jt

Dean

October 29th, 2003, 04:58 AM

u know Jayt... some things just never change...

You're still a dick!!!

Mark(silvermb) is one of the few people who actually knows what they're talking about when it comes to this topic.

listen champ take a break... u dont have to be a prick your whole life.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

chrisaus

October 29th, 2003, 05:11 AM

:nuts: @ jayt

TOCC

October 29th, 2003, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by JayT

It would be really good if Brisbane was like Melbourne and only had one airport - we have 3 and two of them are international so we spread the traffic out.

jt
im from brisbane and im pretty sure that SEQ is gifted in having two international airports.... the only reason you want one airport is so you can boast to everyone how many people come and go from brisbane.... yet BNE and GC combined proably arent near melbournes commuters anyway......

and jayt where is brisbanes(SEQ's) third airport...if your talking about something like archefield, then melbourne has the equilevant of that anyway

chrisaus

October 29th, 2003, 09:25 AM

how many passengers go through all other SEQ airports other than brisbane? and I don't want jayt to give figures cause he's full of SHITE to the max! 10 pasengers would be turned into 10,000

MG2

October 29th, 2003, 10:03 AM

TOCC, Chrisaus.... here's some figures that might help you out in relation to Brisbane and GC as compared to Melb's figures:

INTERNATIONAL:

BRIS: 2 680 299
GC: 41 581
TOTAL: 2 721 880

MELB: 3 311861

VARIENCE: Melbourne + 589 981 (or more than 14 times the total international passanger count for G/C for the year).

DOMESTIC:

BRIS: 8 262 725
GC: 1 822 676
TOTAL: 10 085 401

MELB: 11 775 910

VARIENCE: Melbourne + 1 690 509 (or almost the total domestic passanger count for GC for the year).

TOTAL INT/DOM/REG:

BRIS: 13 098 276
GC: 1 885 710
TOTAL: 14 983 267

MELB: 17 019 571

VARIENCE: Melbourne + 2 036 304 (More than double the GC's yearly passanger numbers. Brisbane plus two airports the size of the GC would still not be enough to beat Melbourne passanger numbers).

Well there you have it guys: Brisbane plus GC is over 2 000 000 passangers short to take over Melbourne alone. Even Brisbane plus two airports the size of teh GC would not even make it! And they are old figures from pre Sep 11. Over the last two years Melbourne airport passanger numbers have continued to rise although all other airports fell. So the gap would be much greater by now. No point even considering it at the moment guys.

MG2

chrisaus

October 29th, 2003, 10:54 AM

-this is going to turn into a bitch fight now....
-who said melbourne had more any way...
-those stats are very close esp considering the population differences
-you would think with SEQ's high growth rate the passenger numbers are set to skyrocket to esp. with high interstate migration ie. people going back to visit their state of origin
-40,000 passengers a year is only a few hundred a day so thats crap all hardly a very international airport...

TOCC

October 29th, 2003, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by MG2

Well there you have it guys: Brisbane plus GC is over 2 000 000 passangers short to take over Melbourne alone. Even Brisbane plus two airports the size of teh GC would not even make it! And they are old figures from pre Sep 11. Over the last two years Melbourne airport passanger numbers have continued to rise although all other airports fell. So the gap would be much greater by now. No point even considering it at the moment guys.

MG2
MG2 i dont agree with trying to use pre-sept11 figures as a sign of a airports current status. With the collapse of Ansett, SARS and sept 11 a lot of things have changed.

theres going to be huge differences as GC has been experienceing growth to the mammoth amount of 71-129% growth on international figures. And domestic growth of 12-13% this year.

and Brisbanes domestic levels are up to 3million or more now. unsure about domestic level

chrisaus

October 29th, 2003, 11:39 AM

errr 130% is fuck all considering the very very very very low base, that would be all of one extra flight a day at most

TOCC

October 29th, 2003, 11:45 AM

2001-40'000
2002-80'000
2003-180'000
thats a massive increase for international flights in any sense..for a airport served by only 2/3 international airlines thats a awsome level.

tayser

October 29th, 2003, 12:35 PM

Keep this related to TULLAMARINE, no-one probably cares about Brisbane, Gold Coast, or possibly Perth airports, if we did, we'd create a thread about them and talk about them in there.

thanking you.

silvermb

October 29th, 2003, 01:36 PM

point taken tays

im not one to attack the individual
but JayT...

no one likes you on this forum as you go off half-cocked (you can take that as an insult if you like) trying to defend your precious Brisbane and all the while you never get close to the mark you moron!!!

http://www.melair.com.au/fids/logos/CX.gif
if you knew anything about aviation, even post 1997 cathay pacifc is not considered a 'chinese' airline. it is neither state run or is allowed to fly chinese domestic routes as yet. it is still administered from the special economic region of Hong Kong, and its fleet purchases are not dictated by the chinese government as true chinese airlines are.

http://www.melair.com.au/fids/logos/CA.gif
air china with the phoenix (learn how to spell fool) on the other hand is one of the mainland carriers that is 'chinese' and contrary to the crap you wrote above has never flown to Brisbane, and i suspect never will. it along with just about every other chinese airline is administered by CAAC.

http://www.melair.com.au/fids/logos/CZ.gif
china southern did fly to brisbane a few years ago but halted services as the market was simply not there, as a result they flew to melb/sydney instead. maybe they're gluttons for punishment but they intend to start it again.

as for Australian starting a brisbane service to anywhere, that is a lie. ill be the first one to tell you when Australian decide to fly international from Brisbane.

at this point you may have realised that you've matched up to someone who knows what they're talking about so on a broader note, next time you want to start something try a new angle; how about some facts and figures and even the truth, not ifs, maybes, coulds, shoulds and woulds. you might find people will take you seriously....but dont hold your breath!

until then get back into your box!!

SydneyDude

October 29th, 2003, 01:45 PM

http://dicanio.50megs.com/images/ouch.jpg

OUCH!

:D

MG2

October 29th, 2003, 02:06 PM

TOCC,

I was using the figures supplied in this thread in the very first posts. If someone has access to a comprehensive list of the latest figures it would be good to compare pre and post sep11, and more specifically the upturn in the market we have been experiencing recently...

Oh, by the way... perfect photo for the occasion ;P

MG2

TOCC

October 29th, 2003, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by silvermb

no one likes you on this forum as you go off half-cocked (you can take that as an insult if you like) trying to defend your precious Brisbane and all the while you never get close to the mark you moron!!!

i dont mind him

as for Australian starting a brisbane service to anywhere, that is a lie. ill be the first one to tell you when Australian decide to fly international from Brisbane.
[/B]
yeah but only because they serve the GC instead.

chrisaus

October 29th, 2003, 04:07 PM

bearbrass

October 29th, 2003, 10:36 PM

Back to thw MAIN topic !Tullamarine Airport melbourne.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7709047%255E2862,00.html

Some more good news.

Air New Zealand increases flights
John Masanauskas
30oct03

AIR New Zealand will boost its flights from Melbourne by 25 per cent as trans-Tasman competition intensifies.

The airline will lift the number of services to New Zealand each week from 28 to 35. Four extra weekly flights have already been introduced and another three will be added from December 1.
The announcement comes after Melbourne airport management blasted Qantas for reducing seats out of Victoria.

Air NZ has introduced new Airbus A320 jets on the Melbourne route and fare cuts of up to 36 per cent. Return fares from Melbourne to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington start at $450.

silvermb

October 30th, 2003, 12:07 AM

MG2, this site has what you want......

http://www.btre.gov.au/avstats/deppage.htm

bearbrass

October 30th, 2003, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by silvermb
MG2, this site has what you want......

http://www.btre.gov.au/avstats/deppage.htm

Thanks silvermb thats a great site to peruse.:cheers1:

JayT

October 30th, 2003, 02:56 AM

Originally posted by TOCC
im from brisbane and im pretty sure that SEQ is gifted in having two international airports.... the only reason you want one airport is so you can boast to everyone how many people come and go from brisbane.... yet BNE and GC combined proably arent near melbournes commuters anyway......

and jayt where is brisbanes(SEQ's) third airport...if your talking about something like archefield, then melbourne has the equilevant of that anyway

Maroochydore - 1 hour north of BNE and you can fly to Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Adelaide - its a major airport.

Sorry silvermb I was getting confused with 'China Airlines' - similar red white and blue livery to that other one.

China airlines at BNE.
http://www.airliners.net/Airliners_net_image.file?filename=7/7/9/427977.jpg&ZyXtCe=MDI1NDE4&id=427977&ViD=middle

Didn't realize that china had so many airlines. Hopefully after the chinese presidents visit to Qld we can expect many more tourists here.
Now back to your parochial little mel'boring' thread about little old Tulla:D

jt

silvermb

November 3rd, 2003, 12:01 AM

Emirates turns up the frequency
By Stephen Dabkowski
November 3, 2003

Emirates Airlines has announced a significant upgrade of its services to Melbourne from next June, with the introduction of its newest aircraft, the Airbus A340-500, to the route at the same time as it begins doubling the number of flights.

The airline has announced that Melbourne will join Sydney as one of a handful of global destinations that it will service with the new A340-500, the world's longest-range passenger jet.

The A340-500 has a range of more than 17 hours, allowing non-stop services between Dubai and Melbourne.

Emirates says it is keen to invest further in the Australian market, having recently begun services to Brisbane.

At present Emirates offers daily services from Melbourne to Dubai via Singapore, but it will begin doubling schedules from June next year.

Keith Longstaff, Emirates' senior vice-president of commercial operations, said yesterday the airline was enjoying high load factors on all its flights to and from Australia.

"As far as the contribution to our network, Australia ranks in the top five in the world," he said.

"In the past Australia was a graveyard for a great many Western airlines who were unable to make the route profitable and have pulled out. We have taken up the challenge of continuing to invest in Australia and it's paying off."

Mr Longstaff said "prudent decisions on the passenger mix to maximise returns" on flights to Australia, as well as a strong marketing campaign, were behind the Emirates growth story.

"We have invested around $5 million a year on various sponsorships, including Collingwood and the Melbourne Cup, and I think it has paid off," he said. "Our brand is now very well-known in Australia."

Mr Longstaff said the airline also wanted to operate double-daily out of Sydney in the near future.

Excellent news and good strategy. Fly nonstop Melb-Dubai and then Dubai to just about every major European destinantion. Qantas' counter will be using the new A380's from Melb and Syd to London via Singapore and then using British Airways to distribute European passengers, in effect going backwards. QF will be in all sorts of trouble!

so from june Emirates will have three daily arrivals as one of the flights does Melb-Auckland-Melb as a separate flight

barneybuck

November 3rd, 2003, 10:29 AM

Yey Go Emirates hope you have great success.

MG2

November 6th, 2003, 06:21 PM

Hey guys!

Look what I found on the Herald Sun website this morning! Now that sounds promising!!

Cut-price airline on the grid
Leela de Kretser
07nov03

FORMULA One heavyweight Paul Stoddart is planning a new Australian cut-price airline.

The Minardi F1 team boss, who wants it based in Melbourne, said: "This is still in its infancy, but we would be offering prices that I can say would make us very popular with passengers."

The Coburg boy turned multi-millionaire has told the Herald Sun of plans to operate a true discount air carrier, based at Tullamarine.

His Melbourne lawyer, Trevor King, has just registered the business names OzAir and Eurojet in Victoria.

"We are in the process of evaluating the business of a discount air carrier, yes," Mr Stoddart said from his UK home.

"I have sold my airline here, which doesn't wrap up for another couple of months. Obviously, Australia is a market I have an intensive interest in and I have been watching the industry since Virgin Blue came in.

"I feel they have moved away from the true ethos of a genuine discount market carrier, especially in an Australian market without Ansett."

Consumers would be the big winners of what could shape up to be another Australian airline war. Virgin Blue is to float next month and Qantas's discount airline starts in May.

Mr Stoddart said Qantas's announcement had delayed his new business.

"We had planned to go in against Virgin Blue, but I have a lot of respect for Qantas and want to wait and see what they do before launching," he said.

"The Qantas move has made us think."

In 2001, the motor racing enthusiast bought Minardi and has been largely responsible for Australian Mark Webber's career in Formula One.

Last year he made $316 million from his aviation business.

Mr Stoddart said Australians were yet to experience a European-style discount airline and would be the big winners out of his new company.

European airlines such as Eurojet and Ryanair are well known for offering fares way below market prices on the other side of the world.

At the height of the war between Compass, Qantas and Ansett, flights between Melbourne and Perth dropped to $150.

Mr King said the Eurojet name had been registered in Victoria for the long-term possibility of international discount travel.

He said the shorter term view was to concentrate on domestic flights under the OzAir banner.

Victoria could benefit from Mr Stoddart's return home as a replacement employer to Ansett.

"I think the appeal of Melbourne would obviously be strong," he said.

"We have a lot of respect for Steve Bracks and his people and I am sure Melbourne would be the most likely place we would set up.

"I also believe Tullamarine is a first-class airport, which at the moment is a very under-used facility with tremendous capacity."

Third airlines Compass and Compass II failed; Impulse was taken over by Qantas; and Ansett collapsed in 2001.

A government spokeswoman said Mr Stoddart had discussed the matter with the Premier.

"We're interested in what he is proposing because it's always good to have new opportunities, but we need to discuss details with him further," she said.

Didn't see that one coming...

MG2

KIWIKAAS

November 6th, 2003, 09:42 PM

I read a short news clip in Airliner World in September that there were vague plans to start up a budget carrier based in Melbourne, under the Ansett name (once again).

Billy the Kid

November 6th, 2003, 09:50 PM

I hope this proposal gets off the ground the more competition for Qantas and Virgin the better.

Dean

November 7th, 2003, 04:19 AM

Stoddart is one smart guy... 'last year made $316 million' JUST from his aviation buisness. Add the cash flow from from F1 and Minardi and the, 'probably', dozens of other busniess' he is involved with, he has same serious dollars to play with.

perhaps he's a guy similar to Richard Branson.. from a low to middle class area who grew up with very little and then made himself a huge fortune.

If this airline is to work .. im happy that its he who will be running the show.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

Brizzy-Mike

November 7th, 2003, 06:07 AM

I'm surrounded by plane spotters:colgate:

tayser

November 18th, 2003, 12:19 PM

Surely this wouldnt have been an everyday commercial flight?

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/67mel.jpg

HEY HEY HEY :guns1: :D

:)

carry on.... :)

bearbrass

November 18th, 2003, 12:35 PM

Un bloody real!:master: :drool:

Lord Melbourne

November 18th, 2003, 01:18 PM

Damn it ! We need to relocate Tulla to a man-made island in the bay a few k's off shore ;) then we'd get some decent aerials like this one.

The photo might be from the last Royal Childrens Hospital telethon / Qantas flyover of the city ( happens every year ).

silvermb

November 20th, 2003, 05:02 AM

melbourne airport is in the process of firing up a few delayed projects, the multi-level carpark should be extended soon over the area not yet bulit on, which if im right is a pretty substantial area. theres also a bit of info in todays AFR about an imminent 50000 sqm office development and various commercial/retail projects.

also the international terminal is at capacity during certain times, particularly tuesdays where some aircraft are made to wait (with passengers) on the tarmac until the gate is free. hopefully its expansion isn't far off?

tayser

November 20th, 2003, 03:29 PM

might be stupid question:

Tullamarine (the airport) is privately owned now isn't it? or does Canberra still have a slice of it (apart from legislating for air and sea ports abroad) ??

bearbrass

November 21st, 2003, 01:19 AM

Australian Pacific Airports Corporation Ltd is the company that runs the Melbourne Airport.
I dont know if it leases the land or now owns it. http://www.melair.com.au/corporate_info/faqs.asp

Bluestar

November 21st, 2003, 10:21 AM

Thats one of the most magnificent photographs I've ever seen of Melbourne, it looks so orderly and pre-meditated! Hoddle was one clever guy...

Blue

Lex

November 25th, 2003, 04:44 PM

Don't you think that it's time that Qantas started flying to Athens from Tulla (or at least sydney) - especially with the games coming up next year? Bastards.

Billy the Kid

November 25th, 2003, 10:52 PM

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7979849%255E2862,00.html

Another airline for city
Peter Mickelburough
26nov03

MELBOURNE will today be named home for Qantas' new cut-priced domestic airline in a deal worth millions of dollars to Victoria.

The Herald Sun believes Melbourne has fought off stiff competition from Brisbane and Adelaide to win the race to become headquarters for the as-yet-un-named carrier.
The decision is good news for ex-Ansett employees, many of whom could expect to win jobs with the airline.

Qantas will employ several hundred staff directly, with thousands of other jobs created in support areas. The national carrier hopes its new subsidiary, due to take off in May, will win back some of the 28 per cent of the domestic market lost to Virgin Blue since it started three years ago.

The decision also raises the prospect of Melbourne becoming home to two domestic airlines, with millionaire Paul Stoddart announcing his hopes to start up a "true" domestic discount airline.

silvermb

December 1st, 2003, 01:42 AM

Backpackers take to the air
A smiley face painted on the nose and Fosters beer cans for engines, might not seem like a serious attempt to get an airline off the ground, but for Backpacker Xpress, it’s just the way their passengers want to fly.

Backpacker Xpress will begin flights for the under-30 independent traveller from the United Kingdom to Melbourne in autumn of 2004. This new entrant to the airline industry is based on low cost business models pioneered by budget airlines Ryan Air and Southwest, offering no-frills international airfares.

Glen Millen, Managing Director of Backpacker Xpress runs the start up airline from his hometown Brisbane, but says that Melbourne is the place, from which most under-30 UK travellers want to start their Australian vacations.

“Our market research into the backpacker market came back with Melbourne as the initial target destination because of the success of a number of Aussie pop stars including Kylie Minogue and the hit show Secret Life of Us”, said Mr Millen.

Melbourne Airport and the Victorian Government have been very supportive in locking in the airline, according to Mr Millen and this is due to their focus on attracting the backpacker to their destination.

At start up, there will be a 50/50 share between youth market travel agencies and online booking for Backpacker Xpress tickets. Mr Millen believes that his target market of tertiary and post tertiary students is well versed in online purchasing and researching the destinations they wish to travel.

“While we have engaged some traditional agent networks in selling our travel products, all current trends show that booking online is become extremely popular due to the cost saving for both the consumer and airline”, said Mr Millen.

Backpacker Xpress is currently working with other carriers to offer air routes from Melbourne to other Australian destinations. The major focus will be toward the regional areas of Australia, which backpackers are keen to explore.

http://www.crctourism.com.au/images/smiley.jpg http://www.crctourism.com.au/images/beer.jpg

excellent idea, but they're using the wrong plane, 747-400 with all-economy would have around 500 seats, too many for a thrice weekly Manchester-New Dehli-Bangkok-Melbourne service

sceptical?

Billy the Kid

December 1st, 2003, 02:08 AM

Sounds ok as there are always thousands of backpackers in Melbourne at any given time. If the fares are cheap enough they wont have any trouble filling a 747 400.

silvermb

December 1st, 2003, 09:35 AM

Qantas' new melbourne based low cost carrier

www.jetstar.com.au

tayser

December 7th, 2003, 07:06 AM

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/06/1070625586103.html

Another Chinese airline to land here
By Kirsty Simpson
December 7, 2003

Victoria has expanded its reach into the lucrative North Asian tourist market after the State Government signed an agreement with China Eastern Airlines to begin flying direct to Melbourne.

Treasurer John Brumby, who has just returned from a trip to Asia, said the arrival of China Eastern would attract an extra 30,000-40,000 visitors to Victoria in the next two years, generating an estimated $60 million.

The number of North Asian tourists visiting Victoria has been growing at about 23 per cent in the past three years, almost triple the national average, and the China Eastern deal will mean two new flights a week between Melbourne and Shanghai, starting on December 15.

About 70,000 Chinese travelled to Victoria last year.

"The co-operative marketing agreement is a major coup for Victoria and has the potential to significantly boost business, trade and tourism activity between us and China," Mr Brumby said. "It means we will be able to work exclusively with China Eastern Airlines . . . to promote Victoria as the No. 1 travel destination in Australia."

Melbourne Airport corporate affairs manager Geoffrey Conaghan said the move "fills a big gap in the North Asian market".

- Bracks et al have been going offshore a lot lately - they better pull something big out of it all

Billy the Kid

December 7th, 2003, 07:50 AM

This is good news for Melbourne and Victoria and a boost to the economy it shows how to build slowly a steady flow of visitors/tourists.

silvermb

December 19th, 2003, 11:10 AM

china eastern's second melbourne flight

first arrival of the newest world airliner, the A340-600

newly crowned longest airliner in the world

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/eastern_20031219.JPG

only heard it was there on the radio, while dropping someone off at the airport - lucky.

chrisaus

December 19th, 2003, 01:39 PM

longer than the 777? they said that was the longest in the world when it came to perth a few weeks ago. though it was a test flight....

tayser

December 20th, 2003, 06:04 AM

hah, saw something that looked like this big oaf above ^^, looked like it'd hardly get off the tarmac at Kingsford Smith!

And is the plane above not on a terminal gate due to its size? or?

With all the growth at Tulla - what's the earliest that they -may- start expanding International?

hornetfig

December 20th, 2003, 07:02 AM

hmm the A340-600 looks like it'd slam its aft into the tarmac at rotation...

silvermb

December 20th, 2003, 08:28 AM

its on push back from the terminal, removing the tug from the front wheel, about to leave.

777-300ER 73.9m
A340-600 75.3m

size wasn't too much of a problem, the terminal handles all the longer aircraft at certain bays out of view so push back was the only change i had for a photo

AUboy

February 13th, 2004, 02:41 PM

The future of Melbourne Airport? HUGE!
http://metropolis.tayser.net/projects/metro/airport/tullafuture.jpg

PM me if you want it bigger. havnt found a good image hoster where i can make the image as big as i like :(

tayser

February 13th, 2004, 02:55 PM

^^ I've hosted it on my webspace for ya.

it's great to see non-Melways references to the extra runways that we've only been able to get an idea of if we actually looked at the Melways (hah ) :D

has the Qantas terminal been extended to abbut / go over Sunbury Road in the above pic, or am I seeing things?

that's a crapload of concourses!

cheers for that - looks mad! :D :D

Weerez

February 15th, 2004, 07:25 AM

What I like is the words "Railway Line":guns1:

tayser

February 17th, 2004, 10:19 AM

Anyone able to get access to the AFR?

specifically this article: http://afr.com/premium/articles/2004/02/16/1076779905738.html

BAX signs Melbourne airport business park deal
BAX Global, the international logistics concern, has signed up for a seven-year pre-lease commitment at the Melbourne Airport Business Park. By Nicole Lindsay (Feb 17)

Is Melb. Airport Bus. Park the one where The Age's print centre now is??

silvermb

February 17th, 2004, 11:59 AM

Extension to Melbourne Airport's Short Term Car Park
13 February 2004

Construction has commenced on an extension to Melbourne Airport’s Short Term Car Park. Around 200 people will be employed on the project which, when complete, will ensure Melbourne Airport is able to meet car parking demand until 2011.

L.U. Simon Builders Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract for works which include construction of an extra 3300 parking spaces over 6 new levels and a mezzanine. The new structure will be located behind the existing multi-level car park.

The first stage of works, comprising the ground and mezzanine levels, will be completed and available for parking in August 2004 to accommodate the peak Summer passenger period.

Construction on the entire project is due to be completed in April 2005. This will be followed by some refurbishment of facilities within the existing car park, to be completed in June 2005.

Entry to the existing Car Park will remain throughout the project.

Existing Short Term Car Park
• 3072 spaces over 4 levels (including ground level).
• Completed in August 1997 at a cost of around $50 million.

Car Park Extension
• 3,300 spaces over 6 new levels and a mezzanine.
• Located behind the existing STCP.
• Will meet anticipated parking demand until 2011/2012.

larger than the current facility but on half the land- its a big momma, probably a couple of LU Simon cranes out there soon

tays the BAX centre is one of the many appearing at the Australand/Scintilli business zone south of the terminal

tayser

February 17th, 2004, 12:26 PM

silvermb: As far south as Keilor Park drive and Airport drive area?

Originally posted by Weerez
What I like is the words "Railway Line" :guns1:

yeah me too (no surprises there eh) - the line on that map looks like it's the preferred allignment from the Albion corridor (where the Sydney SG mainline comes into Melbourne) - and now MelbAirport are doubling the car parking spaces... lol where's the justice? ;) :( :)

anyhow, this is a better location for this thread now, yes?

silvermb

February 17th, 2004, 12:31 PM

in one word tays - yes

pisstake

February 17th, 2004, 02:43 PM

Its probably a bit greedy since we don't have any rail service at all currently but they really need a Tullamarine Express rail service similar to the Heathrow Express in London

A-brain

February 18th, 2004, 12:27 AM

Now that expansion map is 'mo like it !! Bring it on Tulla..

They should just bite the bullet already and built the 2 extra runways already!! I saw a queue of planes waiting for takeoff yesterday so not good enough!

If they do.. that new 27L runway (lower right in pic) should give the cars driving in some nice underbelly shots of landing aircraft..

tayser

February 24th, 2004, 03:13 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/24/1077594829582.html

Jetstar to fly from Avalon: report
By Online Staff
February 24, 2004 - 9:50PM

A regional airport south west of Melbourne is set to become the headquarters for Qantas's new budget airline, according to a news report.

The new airline, Jetstar, is set to announce tomorrow that it will base itself at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, National Nine News reported tonight.

Qantas had been expected to announce its plans for Jetstar's routes, fare structure and headquarters at a press conference tomorrow.

Avalon airport is owned by businessman Lindsay Fox, who was a key player in the bid to resurrect Ansett after its collapse three years ago.

The site, which borders the Princes Freeway, is believed to have been chosen because of the major road's lack of tolls, free parking for passengers and lower landing fees than at Melbourne Airport.

Qantas's engineering services are already based there.

Avalon Airport is also the home of the Australian International Airshow, which is held every two years.

Lindsay Fox's son David said he could not comment on the location of the airline.

"Oh look, it's a very exciting facility," Mr Fox told Channel Nine. "We're working on several projects at the present moment. But look, I don't think we're in a position to make any comment."

Mr Fox said tomorrow's announcement was "Possibly exciting news, could be very exciting news."

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said: "Well I'm not (sure) that that is settled yet. But I do know that Avalon is a great location. It's a good airport. It's got great capacity."

Jetstar is believed to have modelled the business on cut-price European carriers such as Ireland-based outfit Ryanair, which uses secondary capital city airports.

JetStar is due to start flying in May.

_________

one thing's for sure, taking off / landing at Avalon would be (remarkably?) different than Tulla - WATER.

other than that, Avalon's too far away for me to even bother!

KIWIKAAS

February 24th, 2004, 03:40 PM

Great news for Geelong.
I think this is pretty cool actually. I've been watching and waiting till something like this occured in Oz.

Tayser. It would probably only add 20 mins to youre travel time to go to Avalon instead of Tullamarine.

An after thought. If theyre going to use Avalon, whats on the cards for Richmond. Qantas also has a small facility there and the runway (2km) can handle 737 / 320s.
Would fit into the model.

maybach

February 25th, 2004, 05:45 AM

^^

Richmond? Am I missing something?

But anyway, according to the Age, Melbourne will be the first Aust city with two domestic airports! Bring it on!!

I'm a bit sus about no tollways and free parking there. What about the tollways on other freeways and the fuel spent on getting to Avalon airport! Hate to have a 6am flight... :uh:

A-brain

February 25th, 2004, 08:25 AM

I think he means Richmond in Sydney.

But yeah if they wanna keep up these ultra-low fares they gotta find an alternative in Sydney. Though I guess maybe these small jets could use the 2nd smaller runway in Sydney Airport which is probably cheaper to land on.

I'm suprised how they've done the split of Melb-Bris/Syd only at Avalon and the remainder from the old Ansett terminal at Tulla. Why not simpy do *ALL* of them from Avalon??

uewepuep

February 25th, 2004, 08:45 AM

Avalons not a very good spot...

I mean most of melbournes population is in the se, and this is in the sw...

Couldn't they upgrade moorabin or something?

Weerez

February 25th, 2004, 08:48 AM

Re: Maybach
I'm a bit sus about no tollways and free parking there. What about the tollways on other freeways and the fuel spent on getting to Avalon airport! Hate to have a 6am flight...

There is no toll for using the Westgate / Princess FWY's. That road was paid for years ago. Free parking - no worries it's all paddocks. Time to get from the CBD to Avalon would be no more than 35-40Mins.:)

SydneyDude

February 25th, 2004, 09:11 AM

I do think that 60km away from the city is too far. I know when i go down there I dont want to land 60km away from the CBD.

What are the freeways to the city like from there? Public Transport?

Billy the Kid

February 25th, 2004, 10:30 AM

The Geelong Freeway is very good and is close to the airport .
Dont forget 2 million people live in Geelong and Melbournes western suburbs and Avalon is close for them.

Cornholio

February 25th, 2004, 11:08 AM

This is right out of the european budget airline handbook(ie RyanAir and easy*jet). Fly from the secondary airports, save on the huge overheads that KSA and Tulla charge, and this allows cheaper flights. Also, the free for all seating is great for getting pax on quicker. First on, take a seat, last on, move to the back. Makes people board quicker if they know they can get off quicker at the other end.

Does Brisbane have a viable 2nd airport?

What about the airport shuttle to Tulla? Will something similar run to Avalon? This is especially pertinent to those of us with no car.

Incidently, the TLA for Avalon is AVV.

KIWIKAAS

February 25th, 2004, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by Cornholio

Does Brisbane have a viable 2nd airport?

Considering the use of 737 or 320 aircraft only Melbourne and Sydney have viable alternatives in the form of Avalon, Essendon, RAAF Richmond or Wollongong (with runway strengthening required). Moorabin, Archerfield, Bankstown are only capable of handling smaller regional jets.

kasperluke

February 25th, 2004, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by Cornholio

What about the airport shuttle to Tulla? Will something similar run to Avalon? This is especially pertinent to those of us with no car.

Incidently, the TLA for Avalon is AVV.

Skybus will be running a Melb/avalon/geelong route..

www.skybus.com.au

Cornholio

February 25th, 2004, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by kasperluke
Skybus will be running a Melb/avalon/geelong route..

www.skybus.com.au

Great News!! Surely they'll have to put on extra/new buses if they aim to keep up the 15 minute timetable to Tulla.

chrisaus

February 25th, 2004, 12:22 PM

the cab fare would be more expensive than a normal qantas flight prob

chrisaus

February 26th, 2004, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by chrisaus
the cab fare would be more expensive than a normal qantas flight prob
Airport's a $70 cab fare away
TAXI fares to Avalon will cost a lot more than Jetstar's start-up $29 flights to Sydney and Brisbane.

A cab fare from the city to Avalon will cost about $70, wiping out a major chunk of savings offered by the discount airline.
But there are alternatives. Skybus yesterday announced plans to run a service to Avalon costing an adult $13 one way -- the same as its Tullamarine fare.

V/Line runs 22 services a day from Melbourne to Geelong. Lara is the closest station to Avalon.

It is unclear how Jetstar passengers would get to and from the station, although it would be just five minutes by bus.

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Peter Bachelor said the Government had no plans to change the rail system, but did expect the Government to be approached by the companies.

Jetstar's move to Avalon has put fresh focus on the planned $400 million Geelong Ring Road.

Premier Steve Bracks yesterday pressured the Federal Government to fast-track bypass funds.

Mr Bracks said his Government was ready to go, having set aside $190 million for the project.

"This makes it even more necessary now and the case much better for the Federal Government," he said.

Prime Minister John Howard said a decision would be made in months.

The Herald Sun yesterday road-tested a taxi ride from Glen Waverley to Avalon. It left The Glen on Springvale Rd at 1pm.

The cab took 55 minutes to reach the Avalon car park, and cost $112.30, including a $2.20 CityLink toll.

From Southbank, the taxi fare was calculated to be $71.50.

Jetstar's plans for Avalon will also force changes to the taxi industry's regional structure.

Avalon lies outside the designated metropolitan taxi zone.

Taxi industry sources said this would mean taxis taking passengers from Melbourne to Avalon could not pick up a new fare at the airport.

Only Geelong-based taxis are allowed to pick up passengers from Avalon under the present arrangement.

Any move to extend the Melbourne taxi boundary to Avalon would be opposed by Geelong taxi operators, a source said.

Mr Batchelor's spokeswoman said that the issue had not yet been raised with the Department of Infrastructure.

"We expect there will be discussions at some stage between the Department and the companies involved about transport issues relating to the site," she said.
http://heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,8791944%255E2862,00.html

barneybuck

February 26th, 2004, 11:26 AM

As I said on the other post people would have rocks in their head to get a taxi to Avalon when Skybus will only cost $13 and with cheap parking most would take their car anyway.

chrisaus

February 26th, 2004, 11:56 AM

what kind of facilities does the airport have? are they investing any money into it?

Adamonline

February 26th, 2004, 04:32 PM

Message cancelled, membership voluntarily withdrawn.

Adamonline

February 26th, 2004, 04:39 PM

Message cancelled, membership voluntarily withdrawn.

kota16

February 26th, 2004, 04:40 PM

A new $3 million terminal and roads is currently being built.The big ticket item will be the free parking for people who drive from other regional centres like Melton and Ballarat.

chrisaus

February 26th, 2004, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by kota16
A new $3 million terminal and roads is currently being built.The big ticket item will be the free parking for people who drive from other regional centres like Melton and Ballarat.
$3m?

KIWIKAAS

February 26th, 2004, 05:31 PM

Originally posted by chrisaus
$3m?

The (now deserted) express terminal at KSIA only cost $6 million to build for what were more flights than are planned from Avalon.

Weerez

February 27th, 2004, 11:03 AM

Bracks and his government have 100 Million aside for the development if needed. As per the HUN 26/2.

Adamonline

February 27th, 2004, 11:24 PM

Message cancelled, membership voluntarily withdrawn.

silvermb

February 28th, 2004, 12:54 AM

for any of you guys who have half an eye on aviation, this is an interesting one

from may, malaysia airlines will start a twice weekly Kuching-Melbourne service with a 777-200. these are in addition to the double daily flights from Kuala Lumpur with 777-200/747-400

the demand has come from tourism and the large numbers of uni students coming down to study in Melb, or so i read.

Billy the Kid

February 28th, 2004, 05:02 AM

Originally posted by Adamonline
The airport is a private business and Jetstar have struck an agreement with the Fox consortium to establish infrastructure to support Jetstar operations at Avalon.

I know that I'd be pissed off if the government were to chip in a cent of $100 million to a private business. That sort of antic has gotten previous Labor governments in more shit than a pregnant nunn before (For anyone old enough to remember the Cain and Kirner years).

As far as I am concerned, that $100 million can be better spent ensuring that the Frankston/Ringwood Freeway has no tolls.

It is not the governments role to bail out business and to give business handouts from the taxpayers (us). Thje govenrments only duty to business is to ensure that laws and regulation is such that all business can operate in a regulated environment with as minimal red tape as possible.

I dont think the Govt will be putting any money apart from maybe some minor roadworks.
Fox has enough money of his own the fix the facilities up .

JayT

February 28th, 2004, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by Cornholio
Does Brisbane have a viable 2nd airport?

A year ago Ipswich was trying to create some interest in using its Amberley AFB as Brisbane's second airport and an alternative to BNE's high charges.

I wonder if they have courted Jetstar yet?
Apart from Coolangatta (1 hour south) and Maroochydore (1 hour 20 north) there are no other airports suitable for landing jet aircraft in Brisbane. Archerfield is far to small and is already hemmed in on most sides by residential and industrial development.

jt

Adamonline

February 28th, 2004, 12:20 PM

Message cancelled, membership voluntarily withdrawn.

JayT

February 28th, 2004, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by Adamonline
Sadly, with the early retirement of the F111 jets from 2006, will leave Amberley idle for a long time until either the newer jets arrive in the RAAF or the RAAF undergoes a major rearrangement of its force.

In theory, with Amberley idle from late 2006 onward, the RAAF may look at relocating alot of functions from the far more restricted Richmond and relocate those to Amberley. Amberley is a far better and more modern facility than Richmond.

IMO the RAAF missed a golden opportunity years ago by not selling off Point Cook and Laverton and transferring their Melbourne facilities to Avalon.

Amberley still is a major AFB and they still have Boeing.

jt

Adamonline

February 28th, 2004, 02:39 PM

Message cancelled, membership voluntarily withdrawn.

Dean

March 6th, 2004, 04:33 PM

Millionaire Eurojet, Minardi F1 team owner, and all around top bloke Paul Stoddard will give Melbourne another airline called 'OZJet' and will use quiet 100 seat jets whos name escapes me now... lol. The company will use secondary Airports ,similar to Jet*, in the major cities like Essendon, Moorrabin and bansktown. No mention of Avalon though.

Apparently the name 'OZjet' or its logo is already plastered all over the Minardi wings.

Flights start in October 2004.

Thats all ive heard so far.. im sure piles of media releases will follow soon.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

KIWIKAAS

March 7th, 2004, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by Dean
Millionaire Eurojet, Minardi F1 team owner, and all around top bloke Paul Stoddard will give Melbourne another airline called 'OZJet' and will use quiet 100 seat jets whos name escapes me now... lol. The company will use secondary Airports ,similar to Jet*, in the major cities like Essendon, Moorrabin and bansktown. No mention of Avalon though.

Apparently the name 'OZjet' or its logo is already plastered all over the Minardi wings.

Flights start in October 2004.

Thats all ive heard so far.. im sure piles of media releases will follow soon.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

This had to happen sooner or later. The infrastructure is there but for some reason the arguement has been that if it cant handle 737s then it isnt worth it. I suspect he's looking at using BAe146s and/or Avro ARJs. These aircraft only require 1250 metres of runway to operate (Moorabin 1350, Bankstown 1650) as opposed to 737s that need 1700 plus metres. .
http://users.chariot.net.au/~theburfs/images/bae146_NJW.jpg
As I have stated before its all about finding the niche these days. Nobody will consider a start up on the traditional maintrunk routes now (that was Compas and Impulses mistake). Indirect competion is the only way to squeeze in.

Ofcourse there is no mention of Avalon. Thats Jetstars domain.
New airports = new markets

KIWIKAAS

March 25th, 2004, 02:29 PM

Cool aproach shots to Tullamarine. Click on the url for the big version.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/533756/L/

http://www.airliners.net/photos/small/6/5/7/533756.jpg

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/520642/L/

http://www.airliners.net/photos/small/2/4/6/520642.jpg

tayser

March 25th, 2004, 02:42 PM

not linked properly :(

KIWIKAAS

March 25th, 2004, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by tayser
not linked properly :(

Now linked:)

tayser

March 26th, 2004, 05:19 AM

;)

both times coming back from Sydney in Dec and Jan, we flew across the ridge of the Great Divide and gradually banked left (over a distance of about 50k) and landed heading south like the first pic. Had so many oppurtunities to get great skyline / metro pics from a far, but was too pretrified of being bailed up by some Kung Fu Virgin Blue Hostie - lmao ;)

I also had no idea of the ravines that you fly over up there!

shows you how much I go North of the city ;)

anyhow, thanks for redoing the links KKaas.

KIWIKAAS

March 26th, 2004, 12:44 PM

I love the first pic showing the high density approach lighting. The runway is complete with centre line imbedded lighting and if you look very closely you will see that the landing zone is also marked with inbedded lighting either side of the centre line.

Interesting to note that Australian landing zones are only marked with the aiming block and a marker before and after (marked landing zone 405 metres). Usually landing zones are marked in accordance with the length of the runway. A long runway (3000+ metres) usually has the aiming block flanked by 5 markers (landing zone 810 metres).

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/320142/M/

http://www.airliners.net/photos/small/2/4/1/320142.jpg

tayser

May 19th, 2004, 05:00 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/19/1084917660507.html

Patrick floats dock upgrade
By Philip Hopkins
May 20, 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/05/20/20b_patrick.jpg

An expanded Swanson Dock would send Patrick cargo-handling soaring from the present tally of 750,000 containers a year to 2 million.
Picture:Rebecca Hallas

Patrick Corp has foreshadowed a massive long-term upgrading of Swanson Dock in the Port of Melbourne, estimated to cost up to $100 million, that would triple its capacity in the terminal.

Patrick managing director Chris Corrigan, in releasing half-year results, also indicated that if Patrick's rail joint venture Pacific National succeeded in buying Freight Australia, it was not very interested in selling the rail track back to the Victorian Government.

Mr Corrigan said extending Swanson Dock to more than 1000 metres would triple the number of containers Patrick handled from 750,000 a year to 2 million. The company had been discussing the idea with Port of Melbourne Corporation for years, he said.

The port authority normally funded the wharf infrastructure while Patrick would pay for on-land infrastructure such as cranes and machinery, Mr Corrigan said.

One study has estimated that a possible small 150-metre extension would cost $44 million, while a 300-metre extension would cost more than $70 million. The latter would require the relocation of Footscray Road further north.

Mr Corrigan said the raising of Footscray Road would also link Swanson Dock to the South Dynon rail terminal, creating a world-class transport hub.

"It would be a tragedy to lose this opportunity," he said, adding that the State Government was attracted to the idea.

The Swanson extension and raising of Footscray Road are expected to cost more than $100 million.

Port of Melbourne chief executive Stephen Bradford said the Swanson Dock extension was part of the port's plan for 2025-30, but the project had not been publicly costed.

Mr Corrigan said he did not expect any competition issue to block the $285 million acquisition of Freight Australia.

He said the open-access regime guaranteed competition, and PN did not share Freight Australia's concerns about the level of return from the open-access charges.

Mr Corrigan said that if Victoria wanted to buy back the track anything was available at a price. However, governments had a poor track record in maintaining and investing in rail infrastructure.

His comments came as Patrick reported a big jump in earnings from its investments in airline Virgin Blue and PN, which pushed the group's consolidated six-month profit up 26 per cent to $96.2 million. That figure excluded individually significant items of $25.7 million from associates PN and Virgin Blue.

Net profit including the significant items was $121.1 million, up 59.1 per cent. Mr Corrigan said Patrick preferred to use the consolidated figure because it better indicated the true state of the company.

Excluding the significant items, the profit from associates was $54.9 million, up 33 per cent. Virgin Blue's contribution was $32.3 million, up 29 per cent. PN's was $21.4 million, up 49 per cent. For the nine months to March 31, PN's profit was $56.3 million, up 38 per cent.

Patrick declared a final, fully franked dividend of 6¢ a share, compared with 4.3¢ last year, payable on June 15 for shareholders registered on May 31.

Patrick shares finished 11¢ higher at $4.99.

Adamonline

May 19th, 2004, 07:47 PM

Billy the Kid

May 19th, 2004, 09:24 PM

Mmm? I wonder how much of this announcement hinges upon the State Government dredging and building the deep sea channel into Port Phillip Bay?

It is good news for this ppart of OZ and I want to see the prosperity shared.

I reckon the deepening of the shipping channels in Port Phillip bay is a done deal between the "big end of town" and the Bracks Government.
For the sake of Melbourne's and Victoria's economic future this project must and will go ahead.

Amaruu

May 20th, 2004, 01:18 AM

This is definately a must. Didnt we just enter into a Free Trade Agreement with the USA? This expansion will coincide with it.

jasonwa

June 5th, 2004, 03:34 PM

delete

dynamoultraclean

June 5th, 2004, 03:40 PM

Lol, both Dutch?

bearbrass

June 6th, 2004, 08:24 AM

Yeah I reckon its a done deal with the Govt just going through the motions of a fesibility study to shut up the whingeing greenies.

ciaobellaxo

June 6th, 2004, 09:44 AM

Yeah I reckon its a done deal with the Govt just going through the motions of a fesibility study to shut up the whingeing greenies.

Ahhh, our wonderful greenies. Aren't they a marvel? :puke:

Adamonline

June 19th, 2004, 02:03 AM

One of my favourite Melbourne Airport photo's also shows Essendon Airport at the top of the photo. This photo quite clearly illustrates how the government wisely allowed 'No Development' corridors around the approaches to Tullamarine, fully anticipating that idiotsand land developers would try to build as close to the airport as they could and then be screaming in 30 years time about the aircraft noise.

Tullamarine has massive expansion potential as this phot clearly illustrates, before Melbourne ever has to consider another airport option in the future.

If the attached graphic does not open, try the following link:

Large Tullamaine Airport Aerial Photo (http://www.airliners.net/open.file/350315/L/)

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/350315/L/

tayser

July 2nd, 2004, 04:19 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/02/1088488150657.html

Docklands gets $80m cargo berth
By Darren Gray
State Editor
July 3, 2004

Work on an $80 million development at Victoria Dock will start within months after final plans for the project were revealed yesterday by the State Government and the developer.

The vacant site will be turned into a new cargo shipping terminal in a project jointly funded by the Port of Melbourne Corporation and Westgate Ports.

The project is expected to create about 150 full-time jobs during construction and about 300 when operational in 2008. It is also expected to increase waterfront competition as Westgate Ports carves out a niche alongside big port players Patrick Corporation and P&O Ports.

Premier Steve Bracks said it was a major development that would create jobs, increase exports and make the port more efficient and competitive.

"Importantly, this development will ensure our port remains the largest and most successful in Australia," he said.

"We have the best deep-water port in the country, we have the busiest port in the country, we take the bulk of the container cargo out of here, and today's announcement is going to make it even better."

The development is on 17.5 hectares next to the Bolte Bridge. It will include cold and cool storage facilities, general warehousing, on-site packing and unpacking and high-speed container scanning.

A wine bottling and labelling plant has been proposed, but is yet to get the go-ahead.

To improve efficiency, the development will be linked by rail to a distribution centre in Altona - a so-called "inland port". Westgate Ports aims to transport more than half of the terminal's freight by rail. The "inland port" should be completed this year.

Mr Bracks said the greater use of rail would reduce road congestion and vehicle emissions, improving the environment for those living in a growing residential part of Melbourne.

Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said Victoria Dock would be lengthened to accommodate longer vessels and in the second stage of development a second berth would be built. "This is a very sensible redevelopment of what can only be described as a tired and out-moded facility," he said.

Westgate Ports chairman Sam Tarascio arrived at Victoria Dock on a boat from Italy 54 years ago, aged five. This connection helped motivate him to pursue the project, he said.

"The objective of our new Victoria Dock will be to create new and complementary services to those provided by the existing port operators," Mr Tarascio said. "We will attract new volumes to the port and we will maintain Melbourne's strategic position as Australia's largest and most efficient port."

Westgate Ports will contribute $44.5 million to the project. The Port of Melbourne Corporation, a state-owned enterprise, will contribute $37 million.

According to figures given by Mr Batchelor, the Port of Melbourne handles nearly $70 billion in annual trade and contributes more than $5.4 million to the state's economy each year. It handles 85 per cent of Australian dairy exports, 67 per cent of national wool exports and 65 per cent of Australian rice exports.

Opposition Leader Robert Doyle described the port plans as "great news".

greynurse

July 2nd, 2004, 11:39 PM

Not too bad for a State and City thats going nowhere as some outsiders claim.

Blabbyboy

July 4th, 2004, 04:10 AM

FYI, there's an article in the Sunday Age about the risk of terrorist attack to Port of Melb, which doesn't have much "defences" and is the gaping hole in our security arrangements.

tayser

July 4th, 2004, 04:27 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/04/1088879374785.html

Deeper bay plan set to get go-ahead
By Melissa Fyfe, Richard Baker
July 5, 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/04/5theproject.gif

A controversial plan to deepen Port Phillip Bay's shipping channels looks likely to go ahead, with a report saying the project will have no long-term environmental impact on the bay.

But the project - which will allow bigger ships to use the Port of Melbourne - will bring significant short-term changes, according to the report, to be released today.

More than 30 million cubic metres of sand will be scoured from the shipping channels in a two-year, seven-day-a-week, 24-hour-a-day dredging operation, which will create large murky plumes of sediment.

The plumes and the ship-size dredger will be seen from Portsea to Williamstown. Divers will experience major disruptions, although dredging will be scheduled away from holiday times.

The $12 million environmental effects statement, commissioned by the Port of Melbourne Corporation, a copy of which has been obtained by The Age, reveals the plumes will sometimes harm and kill plant and animal life. Dredging noise may "disturb or annoy" coastal residents.

The report says oil spills, algal blooms and the spreading of marine pests are some of the possible effects of the project but the risks are low, and will be managed.

Critically, the report found rises in sea level - due to the widening of the heads - would be imperceptible, and there was a low risk to crucial microbes that keep the bay clean. The director of the $400 million project, Damien O'Brien, said he was happy with the report. "We've been working on it for a couple of years, and there was always a potential that we could have discovered a major problem," he said.

Senior Government figures were glad there was no big environmental drawback.

"We are really keen for it to go ahead," a well-placed Government source said. "We believe the report shows the effects are manageable."

But many Government backbenchers are nervous, amid an increasing number of inquiries from constituents.

The Government, trade unions and big business are all keen for the project to go ahead as quickly as possible to ensure Melbourne remains Australia's leading container port. The port handles 37 per cent of Australia's container trade. More than $70 billion of trade passes through it each year, and it contributes about $5.4 billion annually to the state's economy.

The report estimates the cost of the project to be $400 million. This is the first time the Port of Melbourne has nominated a precise figure, with the cost previously tipped to be anywhere between $300 million and $500 million.

Mr O'Brien said the port would borrow the money and recoup it by increasing the fees paid by shipping companies. But he hoped the Government would contribute.

Government sources said a big capital contribution was unlikely, but there could be money for small environmental works.

The report said the direct economic benefits from channel deepening would be $1.32 billion. Indirect benefits were expected to be $3.2 billion.

But tourism operators, recreational users, commercial fishing and aquaculture should expect significant disruption during the dredging.

Mr O'Brien said the Port of Melbourne hoped to secure the Dutch dredging firm Royal Boskalis BV. The firm is the world's largest dredging company, and was recently awarded an environmental award from the Swedish Maritime Organisation for deepening the channels in the port of Gothenburg.

Submissions on the report can be made until August 16.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/04/1088879374493.html

The deeper the channels, the bigger the gamble
By Melissa Fyfe
Analysis
July 5, 2004

Like those monster container ships, the channel deepening project looms large over bayside Melbourne. It is the biggest threat the bay faces. The impacts could be irreversible if mismanaged.

Today the Port of Melbourne and its army of experts reveal their verdict: the project is a safe long-term bet for a big economic return. But there will be significant short-term impacts as a ship-like dredger works for two years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cynics would argue that no one pays $12 million for an investigation that ends their project, especially one estimated to bring $1.32 billion of direct benefits. But the 50-chapter study is thorough; now it is time for the public to pick over its bones.

Unfortunately, this will be difficult. The document uses the complicated parlance of a risk assessor, and fails to communicate to the audience it needs to convince: ordinary people who live around the bay and those who care about it.

The study examines how likely each threat is and what its consequence might be. From this, 37 threats came out as "extreme", and 92 were "high". These get extra attention. The opponents of this project may argue that the 54 "moderate" risks should also be mitigated.

The Port of Melbourne says the extreme and high risks will be lessened by an environmental management plan, monitoring, best practice dredging methods, and better design. In practice, this means measures such as monitoring the light at the level of the seagrass beds and stopping dredging before it kills that environment. These measures will cost tens of millions of dollars. It is not the most efficient or inexpensive way to dredge.

This is good news for the environment, but if the dredgers fail to stick to the guidelines things can go quite wrong, as the study itself concedes.

One of the biggest questions is whether it will upset the bay's delicate balance. A major CSIRO study in the 1990s found a thin line between the functioning bay we have now and a toxic soup. The key is a community of microbes that live in the bay's floor and process the 7000 tonnes of nitrogen we dump there each year - from stormwater and other urban pollution to half of Melbourne's treated sewage. Some microbes will be smothered by the dumping of 43.2 million cubic metres of sand. But this, says the Port, will not have bay-wide consequences. The bigger concern is that marine pests - brought in by the equipment - can reduce or displace these tiny animals.

For those that live next to the bay, the most talked about concern has been increased flooding.

The study found that astronomical tides will be within seven millimetres of existing levels for at least 98 per cent of the time, and there will be no perceptible change to the frequency with which any given piece of coast is inundated.

bearbrass

July 5th, 2004, 04:34 AM

This project is very vital to the whole Victorian economy for the forseable future.
Go for it Bracksie.

tayser

July 25th, 2004, 12:35 PM

first maps of the preferred network option for a rail link to Tulla (Melbourne 2030)

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/dump/nw.png

Blabbyboy

July 27th, 2004, 04:15 AM

Tays, how recent is that diagram, and why don't they extend the Broadmeadows line to the airport instead, which looks closer? Is this part of Melb 2030?

Btw, I heard that, if I recall correctly, Melb Airport is projected to take 20 million passengers this year...is that out of whack or fairly accurate? Apparently visitors are staying longer in Melb than in Syd now, and the rate of visitor growth to Melb is higher than Syd.

Aussie Steve

July 27th, 2004, 04:31 AM

That map is dated July 2004, so its current.

They chose that route for various reasons one of which was the number of level crossings.

tayser

July 27th, 2004, 04:31 AM

Grollo

July 27th, 2004, 06:10 AM

Potential freeway option = As soon as possible
Potential public transport network option = not in our lifetimes :-)

plotstyle

July 27th, 2004, 06:14 AM

Potential public transport network option = not in our lifetimes :-)

damn shame! if they did they would make it expensive and so no one would use it and they would piss of the taxi drivers bus drivers car parkers thats why they dont do it!

MG2

July 27th, 2004, 10:02 AM

Btw, I heard that, if I recall correctly, Melb Airport is projected to take 20 million passengers this year...is that out of whack or fairly accurate? Apparently visitors are staying longer in Melb than in Syd now, and the rate of visitor growth to Melb is higher than Syd.

This quarter international passanger numbers increased at Melbourne airport by 43% compared to the same time last year, and an average of 15% for the financial year to June 2004 (3 700 000 international passangers, up nearly half a million) - so a huge increase! Domestic pasanger numbers crossed the 15 million mark for the first time also (up from around 13 million last year). This brought total passanger numbers to around 19 150 000 - an increase of 15% on last year. Passanger numbers would only have to grow by 5% to surpass the 20 million mark. But it's a more likely scenario that numbers will continue to rise as they did this year putting Melbourne's figures at around 22 000 000 next year.

Sydney airport recorded only an increase of 10% with 2003/2004 figures, however with around 25 000 000 passangers the actual numbers growth as opposed to the % growth would be about equal. I also heard that people are spending more time here too, but I have no information on that Blabs, sorry.

MG2

Yardmaster

July 27th, 2004, 11:19 AM

*Shrug*

The albion corridor would allow for an airport line service to have its own dual track and subsequently be much faster - branching off Broadmeadows would make it more susceptible to delays (Airport services would undoubtedly be express, and Broadmeadows is a purely local / stopper line plus it mixes with V/Line Traffic).

Albion's more like Gatwick / Heathrow express model - whether or not that's the best model is of course debatable too.

Two routes were proposed: via Broadmeadows & via Albion. The Broadmeadows line communities mounted a vigorous campaign against the proposal, and the whole thing fell in a heap.

The main problem here is that there is a great reluctance to spend real money on public transport infrastructure (OK, I know about Southern Cross & "VFT"). A consequence of this is that e.g. freight & passengers travelling to Adelaide go first out almost to Sunshine, then back to Newport, then down to North Geelong, then off to Ararat: cheap but inefficient . No-one yet has realized that there are or were existing rail easements through Spotswood that could avert circumnavigating the inner western suburbs if another bridge was built across the Maribyrnong, straight out of Melbourne Yard.

The same applies to the proposed Albion route to the Airport. This route is currently used between Melbourne & Sunshine by Sydenham suburban services, Bendigo & Ballarat V-Line services, and indeed freight & passenger services to Sydney & Adelaide. A route to the airport by this route will not have a dedicated right of way without considerable outlays. Two extra tracks from Albion to Tullamarine is relatively easy, except for the 400 metre long 60m high bridge required near Keilor to span the Maribyrnong. But getting that service between Sunshine and the city- especially through Footscray- is an entirely different matter. In fact, that corridor will already be stretched on account of the "VFT" services. Indeed, these few km will remove half the advantage of upgrading country rail because the money hasn't been spent to fix up the rail network's worst bottleneck.

IMHO, the Airport link should have gone via Broadmeadows. A carrot and stick approach: the level crossings should have been removed, and the airport service should have been integrated with the Broadmeadows/Craigieburn service on the same frequency: the airport service running limited express (Tullamarine-Broadmeadows-Glenroy-Moonee Ponds-North Melbourne-Southern Cross or Loop), with the local service from Craigieburn leaving immediately after it from Broadmeadows. Who could complain about that? Not the residents of Moonee Ponds, Glenroy, etc. ... or the motorists. Of course it would cost, but how long are we going to tolerate all those northern suburban level crossings?

Sorry if I've posted in the wrong thread ...

chrisaus

July 27th, 2004, 11:21 AM

does a tram run all the way to the airport, because I remember a tram line running by the Airport - CBD freeway

plotstyle

July 27th, 2004, 12:10 PM

only essendon ;P

Tricky

September 1st, 2004, 11:50 AM

Does anybody know what the Master Plan for Melbourne Airport looks like? Every other decent airport publishes its development plans onto the internet (Bangkok, Sydney, Brisbane, London, Frankfurt, Singapore, just to mention a few).
But to find out more about Melbourne Airport, theAirport Management actually asks you to pay $50 or so to buy a bloody CD....... what a ripp-off!

Info is much appreciated.

Arunava

September 1st, 2004, 02:26 PM

I believe it's something like this.
http://users.tpg.com.au/adsl7es3/masterplan.jpg
Can't remember where I got this from, could've been from these forums ages ago?

Yardmaster

September 7th, 2004, 07:50 PM

Does anybody know what the Master Plan for Melbourne Airport looks like? ... Info is much appreciated.

Seems like I was beaten to it.

tayser

September 25th, 2004, 04:57 PM

merged Airport and Seaport threads, use the thread for Tulla / Avalon / Airport / Seaport stuff as before( stats, pics, etc etc).

jasonwa

September 25th, 2004, 05:06 PM

deleted

Drunkill

September 26th, 2004, 09:37 AM

first maps of the preferred network option for a rail link to Tulla (Melbourne 2030)
http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/dump/nw.png

i like that map, i wish for that tram extension from hidelberg to chadstone via caulfield and camberwel, and the one along north road, and as well on the westgate freeway.
But i really want the Hidelberg-Oakleigh one, so we have another North-south line, and as well, if they extended the Carnigie line, so it met up with the other one, it would be great.

barneybuck

October 21st, 2004, 05:25 AM

Its all good.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11132963%255E2862,00.html

More flights to Shanghai

21oct04

VICTORIA has strengthened its ties with China's booming city of Shanghai with an inaugural tourism agreement and more direct flights.

In Shanghai last night, Premier Steve Bracks signed a deal with China Eastern airlines with the aim of capturing more of the burgeoning Chinese tourism market.
China Eastern will increase direct flights from Shanghai to Melbourne to five times a week.

Mr Bracks, halfway through his 10-day trip to China and Hong Kong, this week opened a Victorian Government Business Office in Shanghai, a city of 20 million.

"China Eastern is Victoria's link to Shanghai's booming economy," Mr Bracks said.

"Increased flights will accelerate business, trade and tourism between southern Australia and China and give Victoria a competitive edge in the Chinese market place."

China Eastern started direct flights to Melbourne in December.

perthwa

October 21st, 2004, 09:04 AM

should start up a melbourne airport thread like the 'increased air services to perth' to keep all melbourne airport related posts in one thread, because im sure a heap of melbourne flights will be increased over the busy summer period....

tayser

October 21st, 2004, 09:43 AM

actually just looking at the Tulla plan that Arunava's reposted: what's the most likely scenario with Runway expansion at Tulla? a 2nd N-S runway or a 2nd E-W runway first? or both at the same time?

kasperluke

October 21st, 2004, 02:15 PM

^I think they will extend East West First before they build a new runway. Is it really viable to build a whole new runway with the current flights?

silvermb

October 29th, 2004, 03:15 PM

qantas' newest metal, an A330-300 will arrive at tulla tomorrow arvo from tolouse and Sinagpore. will start services this week on international routes

not a bad pic at all
http://ww2.planepictures.net/27/18/1098629997.jpg

dynamoultraclean

October 29th, 2004, 03:21 PM

When I was picking my parents up from Tullamarine the other week, I noticed buldozers etc making a mess of some ground near the runways. Anyone know what this is for? Just resurfacing or extensions?

silvermb

October 29th, 2004, 03:42 PM

part of a general upgrade

Melbourne Airport – growing to accommodate more passengers

Continued growth requires continued investment. Melbourne Airport is now preparing for the future, investing $220 million in development to ensure it is ready to meet passenger demand as Victorian aviation and tourism continue to grow.

Construction has commenced on a $40 million expansion project to expand the airport’s parking facilities. An extension to the Short Term Car Park will almost double the size of the existing facility, adding 2,500 spaces over 6 levels. Other car park development will add 1,200 spaces to the 5,000 already available at the Long Term Car Park.

Also to accommodate passenger growth, Melbourne Airport will invest around $180 million in major building and construction projects to improve and expand its terminal precinct, runway and apron facilities. All of these projects will allow for accommodation of the new Airbus A380, ensuring the airport is ready for arrival of the new generation aircraft some time in 2006.

alot of it for this
http://www.airbus.com/MultimediaElements/2330.jpg

it'll be one of those moments you'll say i was there when the first A380 comes to town

Arunava

October 30th, 2004, 12:57 AM

^Do you know what sort of expansion it is (apart from runway/taxiway widening)? Anything major happening to the terminal?

Drunkill

October 30th, 2004, 02:05 AM

When my dad used to work at the airport (air traffic controller) he said it would be very easy to add an extra 2 runways, all the guys could handle the extra aircraft. But seeming he lost his job when they moved everything to sydney, i dunno if sydney would be abe to handle it, i guess they could, they would just need an extra 2 controllers or so, if there was double the amount of planes.
I think avelon should get another runway lol, or a good upgrade to the terminal, then, maybe use avalon as the domestic airport for the commonwealth games, and melb for the international.

silvermb

November 1st, 2004, 04:44 AM

no major termainal works as yet, modifying aerobridges and lounges to handle the doubledeck A380 would be the main thing

for one reason or another i've checked the new flights into Melb over the past 5-6 years, finally Mel Airport have it all in one package

schedules change over daylight savings basically, Northern Summer (our winter) and Northern Winter (our summer)

http://www.melbourne-airport.com.au/downloads/1101NW_ScheduleAnalysis.pdf

not a bad result, ive seen schedule changes with up to 35 new flights, this one has about 15 new flights. the real gain is losing stops in sydney ect. or larger aircraft.

Arunava

November 1st, 2004, 05:11 AM

Very interesting... Looks like a fair few airlines are upgrading to larger aircraft, particularly impressed with Emirates. When did OS go to 3 per week, I thought they were only operating twice weekly?

silvermb

November 1st, 2004, 07:07 AM

yeah 3rd flight started march this year, all via singapore.

if all the articles i've read recently come to fruition Mel will see

Austrian up to daily
Backpackers Express 5-6 weekly 747-400
Qatar Airways daily A340-600 (supposed to start 3 weekly A330 very soon)
Etihad Airways in town
China Airlines in town
SriLankan returns in 2005
Thy Turkish in 2006 via bangkok
Virgin Atlantic 3-4 weekly
Qantas 2nd daily to LA by end 2005
Lufthansa to return
Heavylift with DC-10F
Royal Brunei

and many more but you believe it when you see it at the terminal

barneybuck

November 10th, 2004, 10:49 PM

Geez the other regional airports cant be much good if Avalon is the best.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11349009%255E2862,00.html

Avalon a winner

11nov04

THE upgraded Avalon airport has been named Australia's 2004 regional airport of the year.

The Australian Airports Association awarded the honour to the Linfox-owned facility in recognition of its growth in recent years.
The airport, which launches Jetstar flights and has a maintenance base, employs more than 1000 people.

Aussie Steve

November 11th, 2004, 12:31 AM

Avalon is just a shed. How on earth could it be ranked that high on the list? Are our other regaional airports in Oz that bad too?

Wezza

November 11th, 2004, 10:34 AM

Maybe there rate it on efficiency etc etc. The terminal doesn't have to be a big lavish complex to be efficient!

ShayPlan

November 16th, 2004, 03:16 PM

I've got to say Melbourne has the BEST future air traffic planning than any city in Australia. Avalon has enough room to grow, Tullamarine has plans for 4 runways, Moorabbin can serve flights to Tasmania and eastern Vic in the future...
Sydney can not not even support its own air traffic needs in the future, let alone act as the hub for australia. NIMBY syndrome never shuts up, leaving planners drawing plans in the air..............

silvermb

December 13th, 2004, 04:58 AM

not too far off the A380 being a reality. almost conceivable its a foggy melbourne morning, not quite; thinks its tolouse, france

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/dump/1102693910.jpg

tayser

December 13th, 2004, 06:09 AM

Big mumma.

Now get cracking on the Intl expansion :)

fixed images btw

Gertzy

December 13th, 2004, 07:04 AM

not too far off the A380 being a reality. almost conceivable its a foggy melbourne morning, not quite; thinks its tolouse, france

I don't know, I think it is Toulouse but then again it could be Hamburg Finkenwerder where they are also building A380s and A380 parts. It gets quite Foggy there.

Avalon, why call it Melbourne Avalon when its actually Geelong. I Guess it's just Marketing Crap of Low-Cost airlines, this Secondary airport stuff like SKY Europe airlines calls Bratislava Airport, Vienna-Bratislava or Easyjet calls Luton, London-Luton. Same thing with RyanAir as ie. Stansted as London-Stansted, Beuavius as Paris-Beauvius ans Hanh airport in Germany as Frankfurt Hahn, a bit stupid to call Secondary airports by The Largest City near it when its closer to the place the actual airports named after. Tullamarine is like that too but the only difference being, It's near Suburbia Melbourne.

KIWIKAAS

December 13th, 2004, 11:58 AM

Its Toulouse. All final assembly and all testing of the A380 takes place there (as with every other Airbus aircraft).

Geelong is a small airport where I suspect that majority of passengers come from or are distined for Geelong and the south coast so I would be inclined to agree that the name Melbourne-Geelong is not an appropriate name.
London Stansted is named as such because it is very much one of London's main airports and also functions as such.

MelbourneCity

December 15th, 2004, 08:12 AM

Geelong already has an airport called Geelong Airport - its on the Surf Coast Highway south of the city.

KIWIKAAS

December 15th, 2004, 01:13 PM

Geelong already has an airport called Geelong Airport - its on the Surf Coast Highway south of the city.

If you can call that an airport. I would be more inclined to call it an aerodrome. There are also no commercial services from GEX. Just general aviation activities.
http://www.geelongflightcentre.com.au/images/PicGeelongAirport-01.jpg

Avalon is Geelong's airport.

Gertzy

December 15th, 2004, 02:09 PM

I agree with KIWIKAAS, I rather call that Geelong Aerodrome but I'd call Avalon, Geelong-Avalon Airport.

ShayPlan

December 15th, 2004, 03:06 PM

What do you think about renaming Avalon Airport, Corio Bay Airport (CBA) or Geelong-Melbourne Airport (GMA)? Or even West Bayside Airport? O.K that's lame.. :cheers:

KIWIKAAS

December 15th, 2004, 03:11 PM

What do you think about renaming Avalon Airport, Corio Bay Airport (CBA) or Geelong-Melbourne Airport (GMA)? Or even West Bayside Airport? O.K that's lame.. :cheers:

What about just Geelong (Avalon) Airport. AVV is fine. GEX would be better but that is already taken by the little aerodrome to the south.
GMA = Gemena, Congo
CBA = Corner Bay, Alaska

I would be interested to know what percentage of passengers actually come from or are desitined for Melbourne. I think the vast majority will come from Geelong and the south coast region.

Gertzy

December 15th, 2004, 03:13 PM

Probably now with Jetstar and the start of regular commercial flights to Avalon, I'd say that 55% would be from Geelong.

ShayPlan

December 15th, 2004, 03:17 PM

Yeah, it would be interesting to fing out the destination of departures and arrivals from the airport, then re-name the airport.

Gertzy

December 16th, 2004, 06:33 AM

At the Moment, Its only Sydney and Brisbane via Jetstar but there's alot of Cargo Flights that go there mainly around Phillip Island Racing stuff. Qantas 747's are a major occurance there but thats because its a Maintenance base for 747's.

Photos here from Avalon Airport Site to show what I mean:
http://www.avalonairport.com.au/images/gallery/gallery2_04.jpg
Jetstar 717 on the Tarmac with a Qantas 747 in the background.

http://www.avalonairport.com.au/images/gallery/gallery1_01.jpg
Jetstar A320 Takes off.

http://www.avalonairport.com.au/images/gallery/gallery3_02.jpg
Jetstar 717

http://www.avalonairport.com.au/images/gallery/gallery3_04.jpg
Jetstar A320 Landing

http://www.avalonairport.com.au/images/passengerLeft.jpg
3000+ metre Runway

Jetstar Schedule:
From 31 October 2004
ARRIVALS DEPARTURES
7.50 am from Sydney 8.20 am to Sydney
9.35 am from Brisbane 10.00 am to Brisbane
2.40 pm from Brisbane 3.05 pm to Brisbane
3.40 pm from Sydney 4.05 pm to Sydney
8.20 pm from Sydney 8.50 pm to Sydney
9.25 pm from Brisbane 9.55 pm to Brisbane

tayser

December 16th, 2004, 07:57 AM

The figures are something like 60-70% are Melbourne-bound passengers and 30-40% are Greater Geelong-Bellarine & G.O.R.-bound passengers.

It's overwhelmingly a Melbourne airport, just located nearer Geelong.

Cornholio

December 17th, 2004, 01:05 AM

I believe that Avalon will also host Jetstar's expansion to Adelaide. How many flights daily initially....2 each way? (am and pm)

Gertzy

December 17th, 2004, 01:53 AM

Thats what It said on the Website. All I really know is that its Twice Daily and its flying to Avalon. Jetstar will only use Tullamaraine as for Regional Destinations and to Tasmania.

tayser

December 21st, 2004, 10:05 AM

http://media.theage.com.au/?category=&site=age&rid=15246&sy=age&source=int1524r&t=1LKCV1&ie=1&player=wm7&rate=753&flash=1

Wilko

December 22nd, 2004, 01:05 AM

Has anyone heard of perhaps a proposal or talk of a second Airport (maybe third depending on Avalon) for Melbourne's South East? I have heard it and I'm not the only person, It may have been in the media at some stage recently. Just wondering.

It does make sence as Melbourne's South East is growing very fast and if Dandenong is to be Melbourne's second City, an airport would make sence as It can take more than an Hour and a half or even two hours in rush hour traffic for business people and travellers to cross the metropolitan area to get to Tullamarine Airport. What do people think of such a proposal?

Arunava

December 22nd, 2004, 01:26 AM

^Absolutely unnecessary - Melbourne does not get enough traffic to warrant a 2nd (or 3rd, including AVV) airport, and Tullamarine is well equipped to expand.

Wilko

December 22nd, 2004, 04:47 AM

^ I agree with you, what I should have said that It may be a good vision long into the future considering how massive Melbourne has sprawled, A domestic (Not International) terminal may be an idea unless we can have some sort of High Speed transport linking the South East to the city and Airport. Who knows it may take pressure off that area of Melbounre.

It would benefit areas such as Dandenong & Frankston and It could potentially benefit regional areas such as Latrobe Valley (City of Latrobe) with a population down their of over 70'000 and 250'000 in the Gippsland area including Warrigul/Drouin which is experiancing a lot of growth recently (Baw Baw Shire)

Latrobe Valley do have an airport with flights to Sydney & Canberra although the Airport is inbetween two large urban areas that can not join in what is a perfect growth corridor because of it.

It is fantastice how Melbounre has Tullamarine Airport. It is so neat and able to expand unlike Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport where there have been protests, fights etc. Avalon Makes sence too as it can serve Geelong and that area of the bay.

The idea has been mentioned by sources I can not remember, what I have mentioned is only my opinion and am looking for more facts and other peoples opinion (Im not a big fan of urban sprawl either)

tayser

December 22nd, 2004, 05:07 AM

yes I read it in the local rag all the damn time, site near Mayknoll, site near Cranbourne, it changes with every article!

It is absolutely unncessary - what is necessary is the public transport links are improved so as people can get to Tullamarine (and Avalon) with ease. We don't need an airport out here which would criple the local roads, not at all.

Gertzy

December 22nd, 2004, 09:48 AM

Never heard of one, but as Arunava said, Tullamarine is welll equipped for expansion. Heaps of space.

Tricky

December 30th, 2004, 02:07 PM

...what is necessary is the public transport links are improved so as people can get to Tullamarine (and Avalon) with ease. .....

I agree. To be honest, the current transport link-up to Tullamarine is beyond my understanding. Why on earth is there no talk or even lobbying for an efficient rail link-up, say from Spencer Street / Southern Cross Station? Everything is based on car travel .... cars, cabs, buses, everyone pretty much has to use and pay for citylink. Was it maybe part of the agreement prior to building the toll road, that the state govt. would not push ahead with a project that could basically take passengers off the road?

.... my wife is working at the airport, and we are living near a train station just 15 mins from the City. ... and it just pisses me off that the car is pretty much the only way for her to get to the airport fast and without changing means of transportation. Where are the alternatives? Given that a lot of people in Melbourne do have fairly good rail link access into the city, I believe that a direct link to Tullamarine would be a logical thing. (and people in the South-East could also get there much quicker).

Tri-City Guy

December 31st, 2004, 02:58 AM

Is there a rail link close to Avalon Airport? A high speed rail line between Melbourne and Geelong would make this feasible. Shame this airport is on the other side of the bay. Still, Melbourne should be encouraged to grow west since distance to the CBD is less and land is available. The east has too many environmental issues and is too sprawled as it is. Also, does anyone know if Moorabin Airport would be capable of domestic flights to serve "Greater Dandy" or is the airstrip too short which I'd assume it is? Still, can't see them ever building another airport on this side of the city. Tulla and Avalon can cope for years and years to come.

tayser

December 31st, 2004, 07:01 AM

The Geelong mainline is about 4km from the site.

All it would take is for a triangle junction on both the Geelong Mainline and Adelaide mainline and then Avalon would have both the local and national rail networks at its doorstep.

Geelong, according to the draft timetable, is going to get an hourly stopping all stations service throughout the day, it'd add possibly 10 minutes if all trains left the mainline and went into Avalon and then back out, you could also do an hourly express Southern Cross - Avalon - Geelong and vice versa, giving Geelong a half hourly train service and Avalon a half hourly service. Quadruplicating Werribee - Altona Junction and upgrading to Newport for 160kph then qaudruplicating Newport to Footscray would result in further time reductions and capacity increases. win win.

MS Paint is my best friend:

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/dump/avalon-rail.PNG

tayser

January 9th, 2005, 04:44 AM

Further calcs based on GEX 06 draft: http://vlinedraft.server101.com/PDF/geelong_draft_2006_tt.pdf

Lara - Werribee currently takes 12 minutes @ 130kph (current speed afaik), as Avalon is slightly closer to the city and the allignment above would mean it's roughly the same distance from the junction to Avv and the junction to Lara, you'd be somewhat limited through the junction re: speed, but thereafter straight up to 160kph, the time could possibly take the same or maybe one or two minutes less even though we're taking a different route.
Werribee - Newport currently takes 16 minutes @ 100kph (via Altona bypass 'fast' lines), If that whole route between both ends was upgraded to 160kph, you would be looking at 10 minutes in that segment.
Newport - Spencer Street currently takes 18 minutes @ 80kph & slower closer to Spencer Street (pretty sure that's the line speed for most of the way), if upgraded to 100kph from Newport to Broadmeadows junction you could possibly bring that down to 14-15 minutes.

I think with upgrades, you could easily get an express down to 34-35 minutes AVV - SSS express. Given V/Lines fare of $20.40 for a return Geelong ($10.20 one way) you could possibly get fares for about $7 one way (cheaper concession) into Avalon based on the current V/Line fare regime (distance-based), in other words: best way to get to Avalon from the East / Central / North / South of Melbourne would be train.

*** lots of assumptions, conservative estimates, rough guide only.

KIWIKAAS

January 9th, 2005, 08:52 PM

Why?
Theres already a perfectly good 6 lane freeway. Why not just have a good shuttle bus to/from Melbourne and Geelong?

tayser

January 10th, 2005, 01:18 AM

Because a bus over longer distances susceptible to traffic congestion on the West Gate would pale in service comparison to a rail service?
Because the rail infrastructure already goes within close proximity to the airport?
Because the vast majority of people who live in Melbourne live longer than an hour away?
Because also having the national network branch into the area would allow freight to be taken straight from the air on to rail and moved around the country?
Because the benefits of having such a rail service would benefit more people from the region & not just be airport-specific traffic?

There comes a point where rail becomes a very good alternative to driving, and that's longer distances, and 55-60km from the city centre and about 70km from the geographic / population centre of Melbourne isn't exactly in everyone's backyard.

Tri-City Guy

January 10th, 2005, 01:51 AM

Thanks tayser for the info on rail links. Interesting stuff! Like to see Avalon grow more in the future which I'm sure it will.

Neo

January 10th, 2005, 05:14 AM

I'd like to see Jetstar do just a few flights into Tulla a day from Syd/Bris. I simply won't fly with them because I won't go to Avalon - I've already got to drive to Sale as it is.

silvermb

January 10th, 2005, 03:24 PM

air china daily from april (winter schedule)

arr mon/tue/thu/fri with 767-300, beijing-shanghai-melb-shanghai-beijing
arr wed/sat/sun with 777-200, guangzhou-melb-syd-guangzhou

significant in that china will eventually become our biggest inbound market and unlike the japanese/korean/taiwanese markets that melbourne missed out on the chinese market is colossal and we have a major slice of it... china eastern and china southern airlines will respond with more flights meanwhile air sydney (qantas) get hammered out of melb/brisbane in yet another important market

singapore airlines 3 daily from april as well
daily with a 747-400 and twice daily 777-300, that about 1100 seats per day

air pacific with another weekly 747-400 from april as well

air new zealand with another weekly los angeles-auckland-mel 747-400 and a weekly A320 to Queenstown

watch out for a plenty more flights to be announced soon, although Qatar Airways is a worry. still waiting for new A330's so the april start-up may be further delayed

tayser

January 11th, 2005, 12:06 PM

Supersize this bitch!

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/751309/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/753464/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/753463/L/

repost #4453

http://users.tpg.com.au/adsl7es3/masterplan.jpg

:)

speaking of airport projects: has there ever been any plans to build a decent length runway at Moorabbin? they could fit one N-S if they bought up that [Capital] Golf Course and sent Centre Dandenong road under the runway KSIA-style...

http://www.street-directory.com.au/aus_new/genmap.cgi?sizex=600&sizey=600&x=145.099938634976&y=-37.9759740476387&level=5&star=&circle=&xyfile=

Neo

January 11th, 2005, 12:35 PM

Does Moorabbin have any need for longer runways? It's just a GA airport like Bankstown and Archerfield, isn't it? What would be the purpose of longer runways?

I don't have my pubs up here - how long are the runways? I guess I could go on to Airservices website, but can't be arsed.

tayser

January 11th, 2005, 02:07 PM

I'm only alluding to say an alternative to Avalon for commercial / inter-capital flights, only interested in seeing if the idea's been floated previously, that's all.

Macca-GC

January 11th, 2005, 02:37 PM

http://users.tpg.com.au/adsl7es3/masterplan.jpg

I've got an OLD Melbourne Street Directory at home, and it has those two extra planned runways in it, and it also has two more. It would make two sets of 3 parrallel runways

Neo

January 11th, 2005, 02:47 PM

I'm only alluding to say an alternative to Avalon for commercial / inter-capital flights, only interested in seeing if the idea's been floated previously, that's all.

Fair enough. However I doubt it would happen.

There is a trend to keep GA traffic and regular commerical operations seperate - I don't know all that much about Moorabbin but I do know that Bankstown and Archerfield are two of the busiest airfields in the country - and I assume Moorabbin is the same.

Most of them run simultaneous runway operations already, so regardless of what new runways you build, capacity isn't going to increase by much. I know the Air Traffic Controllers at these airports work their ass off. Also, a lot of these aircraft are flying VFR (Visually) which is not a great combination with IFR 737s and the like.

Plus, with Avalon and Tulla there shouldn't be any need for a third commercial airport.

Traralgon is starting up flights to Canberra in March. That's great news for eastern victoria - there's no regional operations at the moment anywhere in our region. For me now it will be a toss up between a 3 hour drive to Melbourne or a 40 minute drive to Traralgon and get a connecting flight in Canberra.

Tricky

January 15th, 2005, 03:26 PM

I've heard that the Melbourne Airport authority offers a CD-ROM for $50 or so with the latest Airport Master Plan...... for those who don't want to pay for the CD, apparently the neighbouring councils have those plans published (I guess in the townhalls or council libraries). ...... Has anyone seen these plans? Or does anyone live near Tullamarine to check out the council for those plans (if that info holds true)??

Cheers.

KIWIKAAS

January 16th, 2005, 02:39 PM

Fair enough. However I doubt it would happen.

There is a trend to keep GA traffic and regular commerical operations seperate - I don't know all that much about Moorabbin but I do know that Bankstown and Archerfield are two of the busiest airfields in the country - and I assume Moorabbin is the same.

Moorabin and Bankstown are serious candidates for future commercial operations. Moorabin recently backed off from ma proposal to launch commercial air services because they would first need to invest 20 million in upgrades. However they stated that commercial operations were still on the agenda. Bankstown is pressing ahead with its runway extentions and preparations for commercial air operations. It isnt uncommon for GA airports to have commercial operations aswell. Van Nuys and Long Beach in Los Angeles for instance. But indeed you are correct in asuming that these airports do cater for very high airmovement numbers. Bankstown is 400000+ I believe. However these airports also have runway layouts allowing for seperate GA and commercial operations ie. Bankstown 3x parallel, Moorabin 2 parallel sets of 2 runways. The best type of aircraft for these airports would be the Embraer/ Bombardair jets and/or ATR/ Dash turboprops.

tayser

January 17th, 2005, 02:31 AM

http://afr.com/premium/articles/2005/01/16/1105810769836.html [Premium]

Melbourne Airport runway upgrade for giant jets
Tansy Harcourt
17 January 2005

Melbourne Airport will start work as early as April on upgrading its runway to accommodate the new Airbus A380, positioning it to be the country's first equipped to handle the new supersized aircraft, to be unveiled in France this week.

The airport will spend about $50 million expanding the width and weight capability of its north-south runway and building two new aerobridges big enough to load passengers from three storeys.

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Brooke Lord said the successful tender for the construction work, part of a $220 million upgrade at Tullamarine, would be announced in the next few days. Likely contenders for the contract include Holland, Leightons and Abi Group.

The decision to start work on the runway comes on the eve of the launch of the first fully constructed A380, which will be unveiled overnight in the French city of Toulouse to all 14 launch customer airlines and the heads of state of the UK, France, Germany and Spain.

Airlines that fly to Australia have been among the first to order the A380s, which are expected to be seen here from the middle of next year. Qantas, Emirates Airline and Singapore Airlines have all bought the monster-sized planes, which seat at least 555 people.

Airlines are likely to use the A380 on flights into heavily congested airports such as Heathrow or on routes with strong demand such as Los Angeles.

While Melbourne Airport has been on the front foot in moving to have its construction work completed before the arrival of the new aircraft next year, Australia's biggest international gateway, Sydney Airport is still negotiating a user-pays arrangement with the airlines.

Sydney Airport and its airline customers are yet to reach a deal for cost recovery for upgrade work done. Sydney Airport Corp Ltd had been holding out on agreeing to construction work until the airlines agreed to its pricing schedule, though it is understood SACL has now said the work will be done in time for the mid-2006 arrival date.

But while applauding Melbourne Airport for acting quickly to make sure it is "A380-ready", experts have questioned whether it helps increase its attractiveness to airlines over Sydney. "Melbourne has always tried to market itself as an alternative major destination to airlines," Deutsche Asset Management's Nick Vidale said. "It's yet to be proven that that is the case."

The Melbourne runway upgrade is also likely to cause problems for the airlines during its seven-week construction period because the airport cannot handle take-offs from large long-haul aircraft that are carrying full weight capacity.

During the construction airlines may have to carry fewer passengers and cargo or land in Sydney and then shuttle across to Melbourne in a smaller aircraft.

tayser

January 18th, 2005, 03:51 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Tulla-makes-room-for-the-giant/2005/01/18/1105810913948.html

Tulla makes room for the giant
By Dan Silkstone
Transport Reporter
January 19, 2005

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/01/18/airport_revamp_narrowweb__200x342.jpg

Melbourne hastens to be the first Australian airport ready for the new monster Airbus, the A380.

Melbourne is likely to be the first Australian city ready for the new Airbus A380 "super jumbo".

Melbourne Airport management said yesterday runway widening would begin in April for the jets that can carry up to 840 passengers.

Construction firm John Holland has won the tender to widen and partially refurbish the north-south runway.

The work is part of the $220 million, three-year redevelopment of the airport.

Began last year, it was made necessary by a combination of the A380 and booming passenger numbers.

The renovations will include:

· A third storey to be added to the international terminal later this year to house several "penthouse lounges".

· An additional entrance from the Tullamarine Freeway, which will give faster, easier access to car parks and the taxi area.

In work to begin later this year, the short-term car park will be enlarged by 2500 spaces at a cost of $40 million.

The size of the runway contract is confidential, but the total cost of work needed for the A380 is estimated at around $50 million.

The 3.7-kilometre runway will be widened by 15 metres. John Holland will also install new lighting and resurface parts of the runway. Enlargement of aircraft parking space has been under way since last September.

The A380 was launched on Monday at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France. The huge plane can carry 840 passengers on its two decks, but most airlines are likely to fit it out for 550 passengers - 35 per cent more than the load carried by its chief competitor, Boeing's 747 jumbo.

The A380 is expected in Australia next year. Airports around the world have been widening and extending runways. Twenty-three international airlines now use Melbourne Airport.

Five of them, including Qantas, have already placed orders for the A380.

The boom in passenger numbers, combined with the larger loads of the super jumbo, have also necessitated expansion of the terminal.

Two gates will be added, each with a new dual aero bridge capable of loading both decks of the A380 simultaneously.

Extra waiting room space will be provided, and there will be a fifth baggage conveyor.

State and Regional Development Minister John Brumby said the works would enhance Melbourne's position as Australia's best passenger gateway.

"With works due to commence on April 5, Melbourne Airport will be ready to accommodate the new aircraft well ahead of other states," he said.

The airport will remain open during runway work, which is scheduled to take four to six weeks.

Melbourne Airport's chief executive, Chris Barlow, said he was thrilled with the construction timetable.

"Around the world, airports are planning for several months of construction to complete runway widening works," he said.

"The completion of this project in such a short time frame will minimise inconvenience for the 30 airlines that operate at Melbourne Airport."

Late yesterday, Sydney Airport announced it too had selected a tenderer, ABI Group, for the $46 million contract to widen its runway and make other changes necessary to take the A380.

But Melbourne Airport staff are confident they will be the first ready for the A380.

"I am not aware of any other Australian airport that will have runway widening completed by May this year," spokeswoman Brooke Lord said.

AIRPORT REVAMP
- Five of Melbourne Airport's 23 carriers have ordered the A380: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airline, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.

- The north/south runway will be widened by 15 metres, with work beginning in early April. Other work, already under way, to be finished in March, will create aircraft parking space big enough for the A380.

- The terminal will be expanded to create more waiting space for the larger passenger groups carried by the new craft. The contract is not yet awarded, but work is due to begin later this year.

- Two new gates will be added, complete with dual aero bridges, capable of loading passengers onto both decks simultaneously. Another gate will be refurbished.

- Additional entrance to the airport will be built from the Tullamarine Freeway, allowing easier access to the car park and taxi holding area. Construction will begin this year and be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games.

- Third level added to international terminal, housing a "penthouse lounge" leased to airlines to be run as luxury spaces with excellent views.

- A fifth baggage conveyor will be added, increasing baggage handling capacity by 30 per cent.

- Short-term car park extension costing $40 million to be finished mid-2005, giving an extra 2500 spaces.

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxmedia/2005/01/18/jumbo_landing.gif

greynurse

January 19th, 2005, 12:34 AM

It will be interesting to see which airline gets to fly this big mfo first into Australia Singapore or Qantas.

Tricky

January 19th, 2005, 11:49 AM

It will be interesting to see which airline gets to fly this big mfo first into Australia Singapore or Qantas.

It'll be Singapore Airlines!!! .... they are the first to receive and fly the A380 - many months before others such as Qantas will follow. They have already announced to use it on the London - Singapore - Sydney Kangaroo route.

Malt

January 21st, 2005, 06:02 AM

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12006325%255E1702,00.html

Melbourne Airport traffic jumps

21jan05
THE number of passengers passing through Melbourne Airport in the second quarter of 2004-05 rose eight per cent to 5.3 million, transport investor Australian Infrastructure Fund said today.

This follows passenger numbers of 4.9 million in the same period a year earlier.

The airport said the last week in December saw more than 50,000 international departures, the highest number for a single week in the airport's 34 year history.

The statement follows Sydney Airport's declaration this week that it recorded record passender numbers during the second half of 2004.

Passenger numbers lifted 12 per cent in the first half of 2004-05 to 10.5 million, from 9.4 million in the previous corresponding period.

"This positive outcome is the result of strong domestic growth in international passenger numbers along with continued buoyancy in the domestic market," Melbourne Airport said.

International passenger traffic grew by 15 per cent for the second quarter and domestic numbers were up six per cent.

Australian Infrastructure Fund shares were two cents lower at $2.63 by 11.50am AEDT.

Tricky

January 22nd, 2005, 11:00 AM

Runway contract confirms Melbourne as Australia's first A380 ready city (19 January 2005)

Melbourne Airport today announced the John Holland Group has been awarded the contract to implement the largest component of the huge construction program required to prepare the airport for the arrival of the new A380 aircraft.

Melbourne will be Australia’s first A380 ready city, with works to widen Melbourne Airport’s main north/south runway to commence on 5 April and be complete by May 2005. The John Holland Group will also upgrade lighting and other airfield services and complete some concrete replacement on the runway.

The widening of the airport’s main 3.7km runway by 15 metres will be the largest single airfield construction project undertaken at Melbourne Airport since it opened in 1970.

Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Barlow announced the contract award from Toulouse, France, where he is attending the unveiling of the world’s first A380 aircraft. Mr Barlow said he was confident the runway widening project would run smoothly following an impressive tender from the John Holland Group.

“The John Holland Group has demonstrated it has the resources, expertise and experience to execute one of the most efficient, safe and sophisticated airport development projects that Australia has ever seen,” said Mr Barlow.

“Around the world, airports are planning for several months of construction to complete runway widening works. The John Holland Group’s staff will work around the clock to complete Melbourne Airport’s massive widening project in just 4-6 weeks.”

“The completion of this project in such a short time-frame will minimise inconvenience for the 30 airlines that operate at Melbourne Airport,” he said.

Melbourne Airport will remain operational 24 hours, 7 days a week throughout the construction process. Works will only occur on the airport’s main north/south runway, with all operations continuing as normal on the international standard east/west runway throughout the works period.

The A380 works are part of a broader $220 million development program currently underway at Melbourne Airport to accommodate growing passenger traffic. With all works on-schedule,
Victoria will continue to reap the benefits that come from having a world leading airport on its doorstep.

Facts and Stats - Runway widening Project:
• Around 100 construction employees working on-site throughout April
• 65,000m2 of pavement widening and verge construction area.
• 25,000m3 of excavation.
• 40,000m2 of new pavement (concrete).
• 150km of new lighting cable.
• 500 new runway lights.
• 14,000m2 of couch grass turf vegetation.
• 7km of drainage.

barneybuck

January 24th, 2005, 08:40 PM

Yes very good news for Victorian tourism.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12037791%255E2862,00.html

Tourists flood back to state
Sarah Wotherspoon
25jan05

TWENTY million passengers touched down at Melbourne airport last year as international travellers showed renewed faith in tourism.

Of these, 10,535,000 arrived in the second half of the year, up 12 per cent.

Airport spokeswoman Brooke Lord said there had been a 15 per cent rise in international arrivals.

"In the past couple of years we've had issues like September 11, SARS and the Bali bombings, which affected passenger confidence," she said. "The growth in traffic we would have seen in those years we are seeing now."

The second largest group of visitors were those visiting family and friends, who made up 27 per cent of arrivals.

Melbourne's figures were almost double Sydney's, which recorded a 7.8 per cent rise in international traffic and a 8.4 per cent increase overall.

Tourism Minister John Pandazopoulos said visitors spent more than $7 million a day, and more would follow a $220 million airport upgrade.

greynurse

January 25th, 2005, 01:11 AM

Thats very good news and shows if you keep perservering and chipping away you can slowing slowly chatchee monkey.

Tricky

January 31st, 2005, 11:58 AM

Did anyone read the article in 'The Age' a few days ago, where they reported on the Tullamarine/Calder upgrade? .... I've missed it..... can someone please post?! Cheers.

Aussie Steve

February 10th, 2005, 01:08 AM

High fliers sit taller at Melbourne airport (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12201331%255E2862,00.html)
Herald Sun (www.heraldsun.com.au)
John Masanauskas
10 February 2005

AIRLINE passengers sitting in luxury lounges will have spectacular views of Mt Macedon under a major expansion of Melbourne airport.

A third level will be added to the international terminal and the seating area doubled for departing travellers.

The works are part of a $220 million development to prepare for huge traffic growth and the arrival of the new A380 super jumbo aircraft next year.

Two new gates with dual aerobridges will enable passengers to board and disembark from both levels of the double-deck Airbus A380 -- the world's biggest passenger plane.

The airport's north-south runway will be widened by 15m to accommodate the aircraft's 80m wingspan.

Qantas will start flying the 550-seat jet between Melbourne and Los Angeles from October 2006, with Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways also expected to bring it here.

Airport acting CEO Kirby Clark yesterday said the works would include construction of a third level above the terminal extension to house three premium penthouse airline lounges.

tayser

February 10th, 2005, 01:48 AM

:banana: :banana: :banana:

greynurse

February 10th, 2005, 02:45 AM

This extension will give Tulla a much bigger feel to it and keep it as the most attractive and functional.

AUboy

February 10th, 2005, 03:34 AM

Just to add to Taysers excitement:

Melbourne Airport today announced that L.U.Simon Builders has been awarded a contract to expand its international terminal by over 5,000m2. The announcement comes just 3 weeks after the airport unveiled plans to widen its north/south runway by 15 metres, the largest single airfield construction project in the airport’s 35 year history.

The terminal expansion project is part of a $220 million development program currently underway at the airport to accommodate continued strong growth in international passenger traffic and the new double-decker A380 aircraft.

Melbourne Airport acting CEO Kirby Clark said extra capacity was needed to accommodate the airport’s growing passenger traffic.

“With Melbourne’s international passenger traffic growing at twice the Australian average over the past seven years, the terminal expansion project will provide valuable extra capacity
in the gate-lounge areas and ensure Melbourne Airport continues to provide world-class service to our passengers as we grow,” said Mr Clark.

The 5,000m2 construction project will see Melbourne Airport’s existing international terminal expanded 20 metres to the north, a new third level added to the international terminal building and two dual aerobridges installed to accommodate the new double-decker A380 aircraft.

Construction will commence at the end of this month and will be complete by the end of February 2006, with increased terminal capacity available in time for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March.

The 20mx80m expansion of the arrival and departures level of the international terminal will add over 3,000m2 to the public gate-lounge areas, more than doubling the space currently available for seating. This will enable the airport to better accommodate continued growth in passenger traffic and huge passenger loads carried by the new A380 aircraft when it arrives.

Two new gates will be fitted with dual aerobridges, each of which will have the flexibility to accommodate either one A380, or two smaller aircraft at one time. Passengers on the A380 aircraft, due to start flying in 2006, will be able to board and disembark from both levels of the double-decker aircraft on the new aerobridges.

There will also be a new single aerobridge installed on an existing gate, to replace an older one.

“The larger gate-lounges will provide plenty of space for passengers traveling overseas, both on the new A380 aircraft and on other services,” said Mr Clark.

The project also involves the construction of a new, 2000m2 third level above the terminal extension, earmarked for use as premium 'penthouse' airline lounges.

"The new 3rd level will create an opportunity for interested airlines to provide their passengers with access to some of the best lounge space available at any airport in Australia or the world,” said Mr Clark.

“These penthouse lounges will offer passengers superb views of Mount Macedon, the runways and the newly developed A380 aircraft gates.”

The entire project will be delivered in stages to minimise impact on passengers and airlines, with only one gate unavailable for public use at any time during construction. The first of the new dual aerobridge gates will be delivered and available for use by the end of October 2005.

FACTS AT A GLANCE: MELBOURNE AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL EXPANSION

• L.U. Simon awarded contract to expand Melbourne Airport’s International terminal by over 5,000m2.
• Northern end of the terminal building will be expanded by over 3,000 m2. Existing gates D9 and D11, to the north of the airport, will be extended out 20 metres. Total expansion of existing building is 20mx80m over two levels. Extension will increase space available for seating in arrivals and departures by 165%.
• Construction of a 2,000m2 third level above the terminal extension for use as airline lounges.
• New gates with dual aerobridges will be installed on the new expansion, which have the flexibility to accommodate 2 new A380 aircraft or 4 smaller aircraft at any one time.
• A new single aerobridge will also be installed on an existing gate, to replace an older one.
• Project commences 28 February 2005, complete by end of February 2006 in time for the Commonwealth Games in March.

tayser

February 10th, 2005, 03:51 AM

from the above it seems as though it's the pier in this render next to the main Qantas pier (from top to bottom: unbuilt Qantas pier, built Qantas CityFlyer pier, main Qantas pier, new Intl pier)? in the plan it's longer than 20m, but this project is possibly the start of full implementation?

or am I on the wrong track?

http://users.tpg.com.au/adsl7es3/masterplan.jpg

Arunava

February 10th, 2005, 04:30 AM

I think you're right. I've highlighted the pier I think you're talking about in yellow:
http://img48.exs.cx/img48/7569/masterplan26rr.jpg
Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting (http://www.imageshack.us)

AUboy

February 10th, 2005, 04:51 AM

Mmmmm I'm pretty sure they will keep the satelite if they're constructing an extension. So I'm not sure how they plan to extend this.

A-brain

February 10th, 2005, 08:17 AM

This is an area I'm very interested in.. it's no suprise Qantas plans to launch the A380 immediately on the Melbourne-LAX route, hence the urgent airport upgrade (unlike some other airports who are upgrading in the 'hope' of attracting the A380)..

It solves a big dilemma they currently have where the daily Melb-LAX QF93 744 (747-400) service is pretty much full each flight, but demand doesn't quite warrant a second daily 744 service (although they've already started a direct QF103 on busy Saturdays).

The A380 upsizes the capacity nicely on the route another >50% without needing to go to a 2nd daily service on the traditionally quieter days.. and either way the extra range solves the fuel/wind problem even the newer specially built 747-400ER's have on the return journey (like I suffered last week in the wild weather!)

All the same at the current growth rate who knows there could be an A380 & 744 both flying daily to LAX ..

silvermb

February 10th, 2005, 10:33 AM

A-brain, count on the second daily flight, the two weekly QF 103's will go daily once theres enough aircraft in the fleet

the interesting thing is the dual aerobridges that handle 2 A380's and or 4 smaller aircraft, good use of limited space.

Jetstar will fly international with NZ first up, starting in a year or so according to the AFR

A-brain

February 10th, 2005, 11:20 AM

Enough aircraft in the fleet ??

Meaning enough of the new A380 I assume you mean, there are no more 747-400ER's on order and all are delivered so Qantas will have to wait till then..

silvermb

February 10th, 2005, 02:14 PM

the 744ER's fly mel-lax or mel-sin-london, and there's no more of those for the time being. QF 103 is a two class 744 which i'm guessing is weight restricted. QF could juggle the fleet once more A330-300's arrive on international routes to free more 744's for the flights. but hey the A380's arrive next year so in aviation terms, it's not that long a wait

and they're flogging United to the USA, we really need a Northwest or Continental back in AUS.

cant see anymore new 747's in the QF fleet, may sneak a few second-handers in though. expect an order for either the 777-300ER or the A340-600HGW during may, as a replacement for early model 747's and expansion

http://65.18.131.41/yssy/viewtopic.php?t=10949
page two has the guts of it all

A-brain

February 11th, 2005, 07:21 AM

Qantas did acutally order 1 x 767-300ER a couple of years ago dunno what they're using it for.

Yeah A340-500/600 or 777ER could be an option as well to provide excess capacity on MEL-LAX .. but I've also noticed they fly the -400ER's SYD-LAX not sure why when they're needed on MEL route.

Qantas are killing United on the direct MEL-LAX because they got Boeing to create the -400ER's specifically for the job. United tried direct MEL-LAX c.2000 but the reality of the -400 having to divert to Sydney for fuel 30-40% of the time made them sensibly revert to the MEL-SYD-LAX route.

In the old days of Continental/NWA all MEL-USA flights had a stopover so plane type wasn't a big issue. But now that direct flights are demanded they would be in the same boat as United, and I don't think any of them are prepared to shell out for the -400ER's just for the LAX-MEL route.

Gertzy

February 11th, 2005, 07:53 AM

we really need a Northwest or Continental back in AUS

The thing is, that we do have continental flying into Australia, but however, its Continental Micronesia which is still pretty much Continental but from Guam, the only destination it flys to though is Cairns.

silvermb

February 20th, 2005, 10:15 AM

OzJet, arriving in town this week for promo purposes

http://www.chesneyhawkes.co.uk/myimages/190205/PICT0008.jpg

tayser

February 20th, 2005, 01:16 PM

who the fudge are they? :D

MelbourneCity

February 21st, 2005, 11:37 AM

The Paul Soddart (sp)? outfit.
Nice livery - but that is no BAe 146, but rather a Boeing 737-200.

Maybe OzJet will fly.... but if it lasts that is another matter.

Macca-GC

February 21st, 2005, 12:51 PM

I can't believe they're actually doing this. OzJet won't be successful

KIWIKAAS

February 22nd, 2005, 12:35 AM

It will be interesting to see. He's obviously going for budget by using a
737-200 which havent been in production for a good 20 years.
Could be he will go for super cut price flights on the main trunk routes ie SYD-MEL, SYD-BNE or he will go niche markets on underserved routes ie. CBR-CNS, NTL-ADL etc. None the less it will be interesting.
I would personally go for small regional jets from WOL-BNE, WOL-MEL, NTL-OOL, etc. But I'm sure he's done his research.
There is space for another small airline in the Australian market. But its a question of which niche to choose.

Edit. Copied from a post by @Al on the SA forum.
Today's 'tiser:

Adelaide lands Ozjet
22feb05

FORMULA One team owner Paul Stoddart would base his new airline Ozjet in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Mike Rann said today.

Mr Stoddart will fly into Adelaide at lunchtime to reveal his plans to locate the airline at Adelaide's new $260 million terminal, which will open later this year.

OzJet is expected to focus on business customers and will initially fly between Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

"It's been a bit of a tight contest between us and Melbourne, and they'll be announcing today they've made a decision to set up an airline here in Adelaide based at Adelaide Airport," Mr Rann said on ABC radio.

"It's going to mean about 300 jobs in hi-tech and professional areas as well as operational positions.

"So this is good news for the airport, it's great to have a new airline located there."

Mr Stoddart owns the Minardi Formula One team.

Gertzy

February 22nd, 2005, 10:46 AM

I'm not flying with OZjet then, you don't know how a 737-200 could go. Thats now the aircraft of choice in CANADA EHHH!!!!!!!

silvermb

February 25th, 2005, 11:15 PM

Virgin's first logojet at Tulla

http://www.jetphotos.net/images/0/02-050107_VOI.jpg.21190.jpg

maybach

March 1st, 2005, 06:53 AM

OzJet, arriving in town this week for promo purposes

http://www.chesneyhawkes.co.uk/myimages/190205/PICT0008.jpg

OMG those engines!! I remember a picture of my Dad in front of one of those before boarding it back in the early 70's!!!!!!!!!!!

Bca

March 17th, 2005, 12:58 PM

Ta-da! I was in my helicopter flying to work today at the Rialto and noticed that the terminal upgrade has been completed! I want those builders! :colgate: :bowtie: :colgate:

http://img217.exs.cx/img217/5452/melbair7aw.jpg

Seriously... a rough estimate of the roof height? I have not extended the building 20m to the North though.

Anyway...the added story makes the Internat' term seem a little more Internat' me thinks, less like a tin-shed!!!

I hope they add some sort of curved feature to the roof, i know i'm 'dreamin' though!

Daffy

March 18th, 2005, 02:39 AM

Who needs site inspections when fly overs will do. 15% please

tayser

April 10th, 2005, 05:44 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/Emirates-tops-foreigners-flying-out-of-Melbourne/2005/04/10/1113071854634.html

Emirates tops foreigners flying out of Melbourne
By Stephen Dabkowski
April 11, 2005

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/04/10/pt_emirates_1104_ent-lead__200x137.jpg

Emirates hopes to replicate its Melbourne success.
Photo: Brendan Esposito

Emirates has become the largest foreign carrier operating out of Melbourne Airport after recently doubling its services from Tullamarine.

Emirates now offers two flights a day to New Zealand (Christchurch and Auckland) and another two flights to Dubai from Tullamarine, which means the airline is now selling more than 1200 seats a day out of Melbourne.

"Melbourne as a destination has been very rewarding for Emirates," said Eddie Lim, Emirates area general manager for Australia and New Zealand. "It was the first port Emirates flew to in Australia and it continues to be very successful."

Emirates hopes to replicate its Melbourne success in Sydney, where it plans to double daily operations from May. It also flies daily out of Perth and Brisbane.

Mr Lim said the arrival of the new super-jumbo Airbus A380 - Emirates will be the second carrier in the world to take possession of the aircraft - signals a new phase in travel to and from Australia.

"While we haven't confirmed when the new A380 Airbus aircraft will be available, we will hopefully be introducing them into Australia early next year," Mr Lim said. Emirates has also announced plans to build flight lounges in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

The new lounge at Melbourne Airport for Emirates frequent flyers is expected to be open at the end of the year.

_________________

How far behind Qantas would they be?

Bca

April 13th, 2005, 01:26 PM

Melbourne Airport has put up this factsheet about current airport works regarding the A380 (terminal expansion/runway widening/parking stands/taxiway enlargement/new aerobridges)

taken from their website:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Melbourne & the A380 6 April 2005

Melbourne will be Australia’s first A380 ready city, putting Victoria at the centre of a new era in aviation.

Melbourne Airport is investing $220 million in building and construction projects to improve and expand its terminal precinct, runway and apron facilities. These works are designed to support continued passenger growth, and to prepare Melbourne to welcome the new generation A380 aircraft, which will have 35% more seats than a 747 jumbo.

The Airbus A380 will be the world’s largest commercial passenger aircraft, carrying around 550 passengers and entering airline service in 2006. Five of Melbourne Airport’s 23 international carriers have already placed orders for the new aircraft; Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airline, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.

Construction already underway at Melbourne Airport will ensure Victoria is ready to welcome the double-decker aircraft when it arrives. Work has commenced on a 5,000m2 expansion of our international terminal building, which will increase public seating capacity by 165%. A third level is being constructed above the terminal extension, which will house new “penthouse” airline lounges with terrific views over Mount Macedon and the airfield.

For the past two years, Melbourne Airport has worked closely with its industry and airline partners to prepare for the introduction of the A380. Through this detailed planning, Melbourne Airport has finalised its development program and is on-track to make Melbourne Australia’s first A380-ready city.

A significant airside works program will be required for the airport to accommodate the enormous size of this new aircraft. All works required to facilitate the A380 are fully funded as part of a five-year price agreement reached with our airline partners and introduced on 1 July 2002.

Melbourne & the A380
Long term planning has enabled Melbourne Airport to finalise priorities and arrange finance for major aeronautical developments well in advance of their construction.

The airport’s pricing agreement with airlines incorporates a five year capital works program, which includes A380 specific works as well as other apron, runway and terminal development. This unique understanding has streamlined the planning and implementation of vital aeronautical development projects, enabling Melbourne Airport to focus on delivering outcomes.

With A380 works on schedule and a $220 million development program underway to accommodate growing passenger traffic, Victoria will continue to reap the benefits that come from having a world leading airport on its doorstep.

Fact Sheet

The A380 Aircraft

* The Airbus A380 aircraft will be the world’s largest commercial passenger aircraft, carrying 550 passengers and able to fly for almost 15,000 kms non-stop.

* Scheduled to enter airline service in 2006, the A380 will usher a new era in aviation. Five of Melbourne Airport’s 23 international carriers have already placed orders for the new aircraft; Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airline, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.

* The most noticeable difference between the A380 and existing aircraft will be its enormous size. The A380 will have a wingspan more than 15 metres wider than a Boeing 747 and will be 5 metres higher.

http://www.melair.com.au/images/media_releases/airbus03.gif

Development required at the airport to accommodate the A380

* A significant airside works program is required for Melbourne Airport to accommodate the enormous new aircraft.

* The largest A380 specific development requirement is the widening of Melbourne Airport’s main runway. The north/south runway will be widened by 15 metres to provide jet blast protection.

* Terminal works are also underway to install two new gates with dual aerobridges that will enable passengers to board and disembark the A380 from both levels of the double-decker aircraft. These gates will have the flexibility to accommodate two A380 or up to four smaller aircraft at any one time.

* Melbourne Airport is also completing a variety of new apron and terminal works at its international terminal to accommodate continued passenger growth and support the introduction of the A380. These projects include; construction of additional aircraft parking areas on the north apron, terminal expansion to increase seating capacity by 165% and construction of new ‘penthouse’ airline lounges.

Melbourne Airport runway widening project

* Melbourne Airport’s main 3.7km north/south runway will be widened by 15 metres (7.5 metres either side) to provide jet blast protection. Runway lighting will be upgraded as part of the project.

* This will be the largest single airfield construction project undertaken at Melbourne Airport since it opened in 1970.

* Melbourne Airport will remain operational 24 hours, 7 days a week throughout the construction process.

* Pavement widening works will commence on 5 April 2005 and will be complete within 4-6 weeks. The project will also involve the upgrade of runway lighting and other airfield services and some concrete replacement on the runway

* Works will only occur on the north/south runway. Operations will continue as normal on the international standard east/west runway throughout the works period.

* The month of April was selected for the works as it is a slower time for freight and passenger traffic, minimising the impact on Victoria’s lucrative international tourism industry. Historical weather data also indicates weather will be more favourable for construction during this period.

http://www.melair.com.au/images/media_releases/airbus02.jpg

Melbourne Airport Terminal Expansion Project

* L.U. Simon builders have been awarded the contract to expand Melbourne Airport’s international terminal by over 5,000m2. Works commenced on February 28 2005, and will be complete by the end of February 2006 in time for the Commonwealth Games in March.

* Works include a 20m extension to the north of the existing international terminal, a new third level added to the international terminal building and two dual aerobridges installed to accommodate the double-decker A380 aircraft.

* The entire project will be delivered in stages to minimise impact on passengers and airlines, with only one gate unavailable for public use at any time during construction.

* Existing gates D9 and D11, to the north of the airport, will be extended out 20m. This extension will increase space available for seating in arrivals and departures areas by 165%.

* Two gates with dual aerobridges will be installed on the new expansion. These dual aerobridges will enable passengers to board and disembark the A380 from both levels of the double-decker aircraft. The gates will have the flexibility to accommodate two of the new A380 aircraft or up to four smaller aircraft at any one time

* A new, third level will be added above the extension to the existing terminal. This new third level is designed for use as premium ‘penthouse’ airline lounges and will offer superb views of Mount Macedon, the runways and the newly developed A380 gates.

http://www.melair.com.au/images/media_releases/airbus01.gif

Runway widening project and aircraft operations.
Runway works and flight delays

* People flying in and out of Melbourne Airport during the runway works period should prepare for the possibility of delays during peak traffic times.

* Passengers travelling during this period should allow for the possibility of delays of between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on weather and the time of day they fly.

* Flights outside of the peak travel times indicated are not expected to be affected by single runway operation.

* People travelling during the 4-6 weeks that works are occurring should allow plenty of time when planning flights to travel to time-critical appointments interstate.