Project | Perth Airport

[docker]

all airport related talk, with the redevelopment being a major discussion point even though the latest news is not that great, old thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=183196)

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2743/image001oi1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3019/image002ds3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/584/image003dz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/9549/image004fd1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7149/image005ir3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2364/image006th4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9969/image007rl7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1095/image008im2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Vision for Perth Airport downgraded
Special Reports: 14-August-08 by Geoffrey Thomas

The vision of creating one of the Asia-Pacific region's best airports - with 45 aerobridges and costing just $1 billion - has become a major challenge for Perth Airport.

Over the past three weeks, airport chief executive Brad Geatches has told Business Class that only 25 aerobridges will be delivered in the planned $1 billion redevelopment, and that "IATA (International Air Transport Association) Level of Service Standard C is likely to be the underlying design criteria".

IATA rates a class-C airport as minimum standard, according to a report by Dr Richard de Neufville, professor of systems engineering and civil and environmental engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a good level of service and acceptable delays.

The class-C airport is in stark contrast to Perth Airport's May 1 media release that accompanied the "Vision for the future" plan, which claimed that the phased redevelopment would "transform Perth Airport into one of the best airports in the Asia Pacific region".

Most major airports in Asia, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, are rated as A or B. However those airports are government owned and many are palaces that travellers would never pay for if the true cost was passed on.

This is the challenge for Perth Airport - balancing public expectation and the commercial reality of what airlines can pass on to the flying public in today's economic environment.

The Perth Airport redevelopment vision was released four weeks after Premier Alan Carpenter described Perth's domestic airport as an embarrassment to the state and called for an immediate upgrade.

Mr Carpenter told ABC Radio that he didn't, ''want to stand in queues with people who are embarrassed if they are Western Australians or very, very unhappy if they are visitors coming to WA and seeing Perth Airport and thinking that somehow or other that reflects upon the state broadly."

At the time, Mr Geatches said "there was no lack of commitment" and "no lack of preparedness to invest".

But a standard C airport has queues, and lots of them, although not as bad as the current Qantas domestic terminal, which is rated as standard E or "unacceptable" at peak times.

Last Thursday, Mr Carpenter told Business Class he expected the redevelopment of Perth Airport to result in a highly efficient and modern facility that would overcome the current delays and problems.

For the redevelopment of Perth Airport to be highly efficient it would need to be built to standard B, which has a high level of service, very few delays and high comfort, according to Dr de Neufville's report.

Airport spokesman Malcolm Bradshaw, responding to reports on wabusinessnews.com.au last week, said standard C would apply when the terminal reached its design capacity, and that it would operate at a higher standard in the intervening years.

He added that 25 aerobridges was more than double the current number, and claimed "that is the level expected to meet demand".

The cost blow-out and downgrade of the airport's standards comes as some question whether airports - critical to a country's economic infrastructure - should be in private hands.

A Singapore-based airport consultant, who declined to be named, claimed recent airport redevelopment cost blow-outs raise this issue in the context of shareholders' interests versus the country's economic interests.

"Quite simply, they are far too important for economic development to be in the hands of private enterprise," the consultant said.

Perth Airport is operated by Westralia Airports Corporation Pty Ltd, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Airstralia Development Group Pty Ltd, which includes Utilities Trust of Australia, Australian Infrastructure Fund, Perth Airport Property Fund and AAH C3 Pty Ltd among its stakeholders.

Hastings Fund Management Limited, which is a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation, administers 75 per cent of the equity investment in ADG.

Shareholder interests at Auckland Airport have led to a doubling in the valuation of that airport to reflect what the site would be worth for total commercial redevelopment, with landing charges increased accordingly.

A redevelopment of Perth Airport will very much depend on what airlines are prepared to pay and introduces a major conflict, with some successful airlines prepared to pay a great deal more than others for world-class facilities.

Overseas experience suggests that the cost of building airport terminals is climbing significantly to meet growing passenger demands.

Singapore Airport recently completed its 380,000 square metre T3 with 28 aerobridges at a cost of $S1.75 billion ($A1.34 billion) with labour costs at least 30 per cent less than Australia's.

The new T3 complex at Dubai, to be opened in October, cost $4.5 billion, although that included a major cargo terminal. Labour costs in Dubai are 70 per cent less than those in Perth.

The redevelopment of Perth Airport involves the relocation of the domestic terminals to the eastern side of the airport at the site of what will be an expanded and modified international terminal.

Phase 1, however, which started late last month to be completed over two years, will be a new and separate terminal dedicated to internal WA air services -Terminal WA - and some interstate flights.

Phases 2 and 3 will deliver new international and domestic terminal facilities based around the existing international terminal within five to seven years.

The initial work in Phase 1 over 12 months involves building a $20 million apron covering 26 hectares for 36 aircraft, but with no aerobridges and thus no real improvement over existing regional aircraft facilities.

Perth Airport has started discussions with airlines on the future functionality and commercial arrangements that will underpin Terminal WA, which will be developed as a separate project from the apron.

The redevelopment is being fast tracked to cater for WA's booming economy, with a record 9 million passengers in the 2007-08 financial year.

The total of 9.16 million passengers in 2007-08 represents an increase of 13.3 per cent on the 2006-07 figure of 8.1 million passengers.

Passenger traffic has more than doubled since 2001-02, while airfield movements associated with the resources sector have doubled since 2005.

During the past five years, domestic passenger movements at Perth Airport have increased by more than 85 per cent, and in 2007 Perth Airport achieved its passenger traffic forecasts for 2016.

Perth Airport is working with the WA government on a range of planning issues, including airport road and public transport links, which are expected to include a rail link.

In the interim, Perth Airport is currently building a new public access road to shorten the distance - 11 kilometres - between the domestic terminal on the western side and the international terminal on the eastern side.

That work is to be completed within 18 months.

Mr Geatches told Business Class concept designs were still being developed for the new domestic and international terminal facilities, but it was likely that these would include a major redevelopment of the existing international terminal and the construction of new terminal space.

"It is possible that the existing international terminal building structure could form the basis of new domestic terminal facilities," he said.

The current international terminal, built in the 1980s, is quite unsuitable for today's international travel with its confused multi-level boarding process and would require significant redesign even to be converted to a domestic terminal.

[aaronaugi1]

FOR F**K SAKE!

[desperaterobots]

Hilarious. This state is fucking retarded.

[ryan79]

Just face it guys. Gotta get out of Perth before your brain rots.

[Scraperfan]

its it just weird though? perth has had the grandest plans laid out for it at every opportunity over the last 100 years and yet we always go half arsed, half baked, watered down...

this all better just be the last dregs of a growing pain.

soooo sick of it all.

[acc521]

Nice juxtoposition of information there docker - really sums up this place.

[Skyline Art]

Again, I hope the liberals can do better in terms of building this... now they have more of a majority than labour.. you would think they would, but then again they may be just as bad... :nuts:

[jackso]

There is not a whole lot any state government can do...

[Citystyle]

It is not a downgrade in real world terms. What a rubbish article, the plan is still the same. The long term planning has not been effected, essentially we have the interim measures to meet demand and then the upgrade with capacity to increase.

[bennyboy777]

It's a private company. What do you expect. They will try to get away with murder to gain a 1 cent profit.

Citystyle is right. They are probably only going to build half of the plan now and half whenever they feel like it.

[Ipggi]

It's a private company. What do you expect. They will try to get away with murder to gain a 1 cent profit.

Citystyle is right. They are probably only going to build half of the plan now and half whenever they feel like it.

Yes because none of the other airports in the nation are owned by private companies.

[bennyboy777]

^^
The other airports in Aus are only average except Adelaide and Sydney (Qantas Domestic Terminal). Our airports are nothing compared to airports like Singapore Changi Airport.

[Ipggi]

^^
The other airports in Aus are only average except Adelaide and Sydney (Qantas Domestic Terminal). Our airports are nothing compared to airports like Singapore Changi Airport.

Our airports were "nothing" back when they were owned by the government a decade ago. It's not like they have fallen into disrepute since going into private ownership, if anything back then they were under-utilised. But you seem to think that government ownership is a magic solution. But considering Terminal 3 in Changi cost over $1.5 billion au to build. There is no way the Australian federal government would sink that amount on in single Australian airport terminal.

[jackso]

And if T3 at Changi were built it Aus it would cost $2 Billion plus.

[bennyboy777]

Well maybe its just Westralia Airports Corporation being a bunch of tight arses. :lol:

[didge73]

^^
The other airports in Aus are only average except Adelaide and Sydney (Qantas Domestic Terminal). Our airports are nothing compared to airports like Singapore Changi Airport.

Comparing to Changi Airport is probably a little to great, but come on, Perth really need to shape up its shabby looking airport. I remember one time walking towards the Esplanade Busport to on the way to uni, this confused lady with heavy luggages came up to and asked, "How do you go to the airport from here?" I then lead her to the information centre since I wasn't too sure myself, although I know that there is some sort of a bus service. [although I was slightly puzzled why she went there in the first place :lol:]

The bottom line is, we don't even have a decent transportation to the airport. A car, bus or an expensive taxi ride are probably the only options. What ashame.

Customs has to be the worst of all. Who wants to go through all that traffic after so many bloody hours of flying?

[bennyboy777]

Hopefully they will run a rail line to the airport when the consolidate the international and domestic terminals together (because the way its set up now, its pointless running a rail service to the airport). As for customs. That is something the government can fix.:lol:

Comparing Perth airport to Changi airport is a bit of a extreme case. Sorry guys.

[Homeroids]

More likely to get Kalgoorlie airport upgraded these days since Thrills Grylls has basically re-prioritised every infrastructure related project in this state, assuming any grants or public monies is pumped into this.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

[WCG]

I would love a rail to the airport (like Ive said b4- i think it should run from central Perth Station, underground, to Eastperth Causaway area, have a station down there- to open up that side of the CBD for proper development and public utilisation, then the line could run over the Causeway and onto the airport. I dont see any rail happening though. The current poor thought and plans show that!

[aaronaugi1]

I would love a rail to the airport (like Ive said b4- i think it should run from central Perth Station, underground, to Eastperth Causaway area, have a station down there- to open up that side of the CBD for proper development and public utilisation, then the line could run over the Causeway and onto the airport. I dont see any rail happening though. The current poor thought and plans show that!

Firstly, your route is highly unlikely. The Bayswater/Weslpool route is prefered.

Secondly, with the current government i wouldn't count on many rail developments.

No Ellenbrook line, No Butler extension, No Airport line.

The Libs said they wouldn't build any of them if they won government. Now they having the Nats spanking their treasury bums i wouldn't even go there.

I wonder if Barney Rubble still plans to keep his Park'N'Ride plans and $200m of stamp duty cuts.

[jackso]

The libs commited to the Ellenbrook line.

[Scraperfan]

and sooner than 2015 too.

[chrisaus]

I dont think so, they critisised the alp announcement but they didn not set any date in policy... more wait and see and worry later.

[Ipggi]

Yes they did. Both parties were committed to the Ellenbrook line, with a starting construction date of 2012 and completion by 2015 ..

Meanwhile, the Liberals today promised to match Labor's promise to build the Ellenbrook line by 2015. Liberal leader Colin Barnett called it "the next logical extension" of the rail network

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/fare-overhaul-for-public-transport-20080901-46rv.html

[Auxodium]

then after that an airport line

and then inner city rail and more stations on the joondalup line and mandurah lines... and a rail link to mirrabooka. and a rail link through canning vale. Then a rail line through spearwood...

and a rail link to scarbs and down wanneroo road! lol now im getting carried away

[didge73]

then after that an airport line

and then inner city rail and more stations on the joondalup line and mandurah lines... and a rail link to mirrabooka. and a rail link through canning vale. Then a rail line through spearwood...

and a rail link to scarbs and down wanneroo road! lol now im getting carried away

Amen to that! :lol:

[chrisaus]

I cant see the airport line being a priority IMO its still not viable, not until both terminals merge, the commercial devleopments are completed, and some time ahs passed for passenger numbers to reach around 12 million, for now a system like melbournes skybus would be fine, while we concentrate on the ellenbrook line, buying more railway cars, and expanding the carparking at stations and bus links

[Scraperfan]

the planning can always progress tho.

in my opinion, it should be in place and open at the same time the majority of the major terminal reconfig comes online.

so they really need to start the planning and approvals process right now.

[B787-938]

They cant build an airport terminal and then properly integrate a rail terminal later. It needs to be allowed for right from the beginning....especially if it is fully or partially underground through the terminal grounds.

[B787-938]

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4337/qfa38014qi6.jpg

Qantas' 1st A380 VH-OQA will arrive in Sydney on Sunday morning.....may still be seeing her here in the next few weeks.

[Mat_351]

I would love a rail to the airport (like Ive said b4- i think it should run from central Perth Station, underground, to Eastperth Causaway area, have a station down there- to open up that side of the CBD for proper development and public utilisation, then the line could run over the Causeway and onto the airport. I dont see any rail happening though. The current poor thought and plans show that!

At some stage economic sense has to prevail. As much as I love train lines (over other forms of PT) I would prefer the $$billion+$$ your underground train line would cost spent on many other things. You have to consider the cost against the catchment...how many times a year do you need to catch a train to the airport? Besides, the people in east perth have free buses, two trainstations and two good fucking legs...what more do they want? If you step onto the road in east perth there is a better than average chance you would be hit by a bus rather than a car. Plus there are already trainstations in Belmont Park, Burswood and Vic Park. Considering the number of suburbs in Perth that are 10km+ from a train station I think the money needs to be spent sensibly to achieve the best result for everyone. An inner-city subway will probably come to Perth eventually but not for many decades. The line down Tonkin Highway will be perfectly suitable.

[chrisaus]

ill deff try and see that beast land/takeoff

[Neonxian]

Some good news at last from the West:

Virgin Blue to open Perth to Bali routes

19th September 2008, 12:15 WST

Virgin Blue will begin direct flights from Perth to Bali in December, just in time for the peak Christmas holiday period.

The carrier will operate four direct flights from Perth each week and the flights mark the first time Virgin Blue Group has operated direct international flights from Perth.

Subject to regulatory approval, Pacific Blue will also fly from Brisbane and Adelaide, making a total of 11 direct flights between Australian and Indonesia each week.

“Venturing into a brand new market is tremendously exciting to out group of airlines, particularly given the new flights will be our first foray into Asia,” Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said.

“It will bring increased competition and a high quality, affordable and importantly, a direct flying option between these three Australian cities and Bali.”

To celebrate the flights to Denpasar, the gateway to Bali, the Gnarly Bail sale fare has been launched with Perth fares from $199 one way.

LISA CALAUTTI

[Auxodium]

Wish Virgin Blue, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America would merge their frequent flyer rewards points system

[fast_fokker]

Qantas' 1st A380 VH-OQA will arrive in Sydney on Sunday morning.....may still be seeing her here in the next few weeks.

We certainly will... Next month

[Phoenix_1]

We certainly will... Next month

14th October to be exact, in the morning.

[B787-938]

Might be a little late for work that morning :lol: Will be interesting to see where they park it. International side you'd think.....she'll just get in the way on the Domestic apron, that area is crowded enough without an A380 sitting there.

[chrisaus]

obviously the runway can handle the new plane, now for some leadership for WAC to fastrac the terminal upgrade and lobby qantas to use the plane out of perth

[Scraperfan]

can this thing dock at the usual aprons, or will it have to have stairs ferried to it?

i thought there were runway modifications needed to allow it to land, were those made already?

[dazzyd]

14th October to be exact, in the morning.

14th October 0800 HRS -1200HRS.

will be at the international terminal

http://www.jetspotter.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9013

[B787-938]

can this thing dock at the usual aprons, or will it have to have stairs ferried to it?

i thought there were runway modifications needed to allow it to land, were those made already?
The A380 has been certified to be able to operate out of any runway capable of handling the B747-400 (ie Perth included). Some changes have to be made to certain taxiways though because of the position of the outboard engines and the larger landing gear wheelbase.

No gates at Perth are fully A380 compliant though im sure they could dock it with a single front lower-deck door being used. This wont be the case for this promotional flight though....theyll be parking at bays 60/61 which are the remote stands.

[chrisaus]

it will probably dock on the southern end of the the international apron

[chrisaus]

Virgin Blue Announces New Bali Services

19 September 2008

Perth Airport has congratulated Virgin Blue Airlines following Virgin Blue’s announcement of new services to Bali from 1 December 2008. Today’s announcement on Virgin Blue’s new Perth to Bali route comes on top of the airline’s recent announcement of additional flights to Broome and new services to Karratha and Newman commencing in October.

Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches said that Virgin Blue’s entry into the Perth to Bali market brings more competition to the route and more choice for Western Australian travellers.

“Bali is an iconic overseas destination for Western Australians. The new services by Virgin Blue will bring to four the number of airlines servicing the Perth to Bali route. The extra capacity and greater choice created through the entry of Virgin Blue will mean that Bali is now within reach of more Western Australians.”

“Today’s announcement also means that for the first time travellers departing Perth will be able to experience Virgin Blue’s great service on an international route.”

The new Virgin Blue services will operate four times per week from Perth Airport’s international terminal (Terminal 1).

“Perth Airport enjoys a great relationship with Virgin Blue. We are delighted with Virgin Blue’s commitment to Perth and Western Australia and look forward to welcoming the new Bali services in December”, Mr Geatches said.

[chrisaus]

there is abit on the T2 terminal upgrade in here

http://www.woodhead.com.au/media/2691/Perth_eNews_Apr08.pdf

[city_thing]

Man, even Zagreb is getting a better airport than Perth...

Take notice, WAC

We have results for new Zagreb Airport Terminal:

1. IGH d. d. i Neidhardt arhitekti d. o. o. i Kincl d. o. o., Zagreb, Croatia
2. Shigeru Ban Architects, Tokyo, Japan
3. Foster + Partners, London, Great Britain
4. GI_Tower 151 Architects i Studio A, Zagreb, Croatia
5. Zaha Hadid Arcitects, London, Great Britain
6. Nicolas Grimshaw Architect, London, Great Britain
7. Studio BF d. d., Zagreb, Croatia
8. ADPI designers & planers Paris, France i Dušan Džamonja, Zagreb
9. J. S. K Dipl. Ing. Architekten, Frankfurt, Germany


Here are first pictures of winning project and others will be announced tomorrow:

http://www.jutarnji.hr/ephresources/images/2008/10/01/aerodrom.wide.jpg

http://www.jutarnji.hr/EPHResources/Images/2008/10/01/akrondron.jpg

http://www.jutarnji.hr/EPHResources/Images/2008/10/01/aerokita.jpg

http://www.vecernji.hr/system/galleries/pics/081001/pleso-gal0.jpg

http://www.vecernji.hr/system/galleries/pics/081001/pleso-gal1.jpg

http://www.vecernji.hr/system/galleries/pics/081001/pleso-gal4.jpg

http://www.vecernji.hr/system/galleries/pics/081001/pleso-gal5.jpg

http://www.vecernji.hr/system/galleries/pics/081001/pleso-gal3.jpg

http://www.vecernji.hr/system/galleries/pics/081001/pleso-gal2.jpg

Construction starts 2009 and will end 2012...

[jackso]

Do you know what pisses me off?
And i know this is another stupid comparison to a world class facility..
But Changi Airport has just opened terminal 3 (jan), they have just started a refurbishment of terminal 1, and plans are already underway for Terminal 4.

It never stops, whereas here, its just get it over and done with and we dont have to think about it for another 20 years, by which time the terminal will be completly dilapated and not able to handle the traffic.

[Scrawny]

Changi airport itself is responsible for a massive percentage of the singaporean gdp. I'm not sure of the actual number but it could be something like 10%. I reckon changi airport is much more important to singapore than Perth airport is to perth. In WA, the shitty airport pisses people off, but the economic impact is proportionally quite low.

[city_thing]

I think the saddest part is that Zagreb [presumably] has a much lower economic output and GDP than Perth, yet they have an international competition for their new airport and attract some fuck-off-amazing firms for the bid. And then they choose an brilliant design which is going to cost a fortune. Perth can't even be bothered mustering up enough money to build an adequate terminal, let alone something amazing.

So disheartening.

[Scrawny]

Yeah true. I guess they rely on tourism much more than us so an iconic airport is a much higher priority for them.

[jackso]

Changi airport itself is responsible for a massive percentage of the singaporean gdp. I'm not sure of the actual number but it could be something like 10%. I reckon changi airport is much more important to singapore than Perth airport is to perth. In WA, the shitty airport pisses people off, but the economic impact is proportionally quite low.

Yeah i know it ws a stupid comparison, just venting.

[crave]

I think the saddest part is that Zagreb [presumably] has a much lower economic output and GDP than Perth, yet they have an international competition for their new airport and attract some fuck-off-amazing firms for the bid. And then they choose an brilliant design which is going to cost a fortune. Perth can't even be bothered mustering up enough money to build an adequate terminal, let alone something amazing.

So disheartening.

we need more hospitals to die in! gawd.

[Bonga]

I think the saddest part is that Zagreb [presumably] has a much lower economic output and GDP than Perth, yet they have an international competition for their new airport and attract some fuck-off-amazing firms for the bid. And then they choose an brilliant design which is going to cost a fortune. Perth can't even be bothered mustering up enough money to build an adequate terminal, let alone something amazing.
Is the Zagreb airport privately or publicly owned?

[Johnvb]

When you see the designs for Zagreb airport you must take into account:

1. Wage costs over there (do unions exist?)
2. Environmental considerations, cooler climate so more glass etc can be used in the design without creating huge a/c costs

But yes I agree it completely pathetic how smaller cities who are surrounded by competing airports with a reduction in air travel can have forward thinking plans which blow ours out the water in time frame, architectural merit and service

[Auxodium]

I would thinkunions exist being a former Socialist nation of the Old Yugoslavia

[aaronaugi1]

When you see the designs for Zagreb airport you must take into account:

1. Wage costs over there (do unions exist?)
2. Environmental considerations, cooler climate so more glass etc can be used in the design without creating huge a/c costs

But yes I agree it completely pathetic how smaller cities who are surrounded by competing airports with a reduction in air travel can have forward thinking plans which blow ours out the water in time frame, architectural merit and service

They may have lower wage costs....but how much money does there government have to throw around in comparison.

Lets not forget Zagreb is the major city of the country...and probably the only with a major international airport.

Move away from the comparisons.

[iceman01]

Zagreb is looking to establish itself as the premier airport in that part of Europe. The design looks great by the way.

Having been over there a couple of time it's interesting to say the mentality is a lot different than here. Over there politicians get voted in to spend on infastructure even if the current socio economic environment is currently lower than ours.
Here politicians look to scale down projects to a point where they can say they saved money.

[acc521]

what country is zagreb in?

Capital of, and largest city in Croatia

[Scraperfan]

our entire way of doing things is fucked.

this comes about because we have taken democracy and public consultation to far. in an effort to please everybody, we please nobody.

what country is zagreb in?

[acc521]

Other cities have the attitude "we should strive to be the best we can be". Perth has the attitude "no need to improve because we are already awesome"

[NZer]

Which would be okay, if we were Chicago or Frankfurt, but at the moment we are just Des Moines or Christchurch.

There has to be a fire lit under somebody to get the airport right.
Surely it will pass through so much fucking red tape, that somebody has to stop and say. "Hang on, this is crap, we can't do this"

[timofperth]

Does anyone know when there will be renders of the new Perth International Airport, like the actual inside design?

[samboy]

I don't want to sound negative but we need to face the fact that no matter how much we pump ourselves up as a booming and rich state we are not seen by major corporations as a city worth investing in. Sure they'll invest mining dollars to get 100 times back but that's where it ends. We have no real credibility in anything else. The numbers are just not there and business opportunities don't exist.
Sydney had all 3 terminals upgraded prior to the Olympics and they're getting another 500million dollar upgrade. why? because there's money to be made there. Whereas Perth (despite the marketing hype) doesn't warrant it.
Here's an example - Has anyone noticed that vacant wine bar in the middle of the intl terminal? It's been abandoned for as long as I can remember. Now if there's not enough business for one freakin winebar in an airport where there's not much else then how do we expect to be taken seriously??
I've pretty much conceded that Perth will always be a large country town.

[JWPJ]

But it doesn't have to be; we have to make the best of our situation. For instance, we are aligned with the Chinese timezone, we're just one hour off Japanese time. These are two of the biggest economies in the world and the former is growing at a ferocious rate. We need to attract different types of businesses and diversify our mining dominated state.

[Auxodium]

nah i agree with samboy... no matter how many times we try and blow smoke up our own asses to think we are high and mighty and very important... we are not

[acc521]

^^You just have to watch CNN or BBC's weather reports. Syd, Melb, maybe even Brisbane get mentions whilst the whole time the presenter is standing in front of Perth. It then moves on to Asia and most of the time you don't even get a look at Perth on the map.

[JWPJ]

By CNN and BBC do you by chance mean channel 9? :P

By no means to I think we are a "world city" or "globally competitive" as we're constantly told by pollies, however I think we just need to keep working at it... and eventually we'll be a bigger, better city. The city just needs something DIFFERENT, something unique to get it recognised on a global scale. We can get our space on the BBC yet...

[acc521]

I don't expect us to. I was just using it as an example for those who are under the illusion that we are some city of importance in the world. Like Charles Landry said, Perth should aim to be the best Perth can be and that is all anyone here is asking for.

[crave]

nah i agree with samboy... no matter how many times we try and blow smoke up our own asses to think we are high and mighty and very important... we are not

that's why our govt/politicians and business leaders need to change that.

we can be.

whilst i understand where samboy is coming from. perth will only be a large country town if it wants to remain a large country town. there's nothing stopping perth specialising in a specific industries that it can be the forefront in its field.

[Phoenix_1]

that's why our govt/politicians and business leaders need to change that.

we can be.

whilst i understand where samboy is coming from. perth will only be a large country town if it wants to remain a large country town. there's nothing stopping perth specialising in a specific industries that it can be the forefront in its field.

Except for all the NIMBYs who want Perth to remain a large country town.

[crave]

my fist is more globally competitive than perth.

[NZer]

I disagree.
Perth is still a small city, and yes it does have a disturbing, on-going tendency to be adversely affected by the conservative/nimby/stuck in 1961 element of it's populace.

However, if the current population growth projections are correct, or close to it, Perth is going to grow into a much, much bigger, and more diverse city. And the economy of Perth can't be ignored either, this really sets Perth apart from other cities it's size. Of course I think Perth needs a more diverse economy, but the mining and gas industries are a great money earner to have.

The way Perth is now is not the way it has to stay, and I believe that Perth has a great future, I don't believe that Perth will always be in the same basket with other mediocre towns of 1.5 million people, I think it will make something of itself.
Think about all the people moving here from interstae or overseas, they are not going to put up with the backward mindset, and it will start to show when they are voters.

[docker]

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=102578

Taxpayers may help fix airport
14th October 2008, 6:00 WST

Taxpayers could help pay to redevelop the privately run Perth Airport because it was taking too long to upgrade inadequate facilities, Colin Barnett said yesterday.

The Premier also envisaged that the Oakajee port near Geraldton, which is likely to be on the State’s wish list for money from the Federal $20 billion Building Australia Fund, would need Government help to be built after years of setbacks and amid concerns the global financial crisis could delay it again.

But Mr Barnett, who announced a ministerial task force to address delays in approvals for infrastructure developments, mining projects and land releases, said the $1.1 billion Subiaco stadium was unlikely to be included in the wish list for any Federal infrastructure funds.

“That is not the sort of project that will come under Investment Australia. Investment Australia projects are about taking away bottlenecks . . .and for WA, particularly about new developments,” Mr Barnett said.

He expects a final list of proposals for a submission to the Building Australia Fund to be finalised next week.

Mr Barnett defended the possibility of public money being used to upgrade the airport, which is leased and operated by Westralia Airports Corporation .

“The Prime Minister raised the Perth Airport with me,” he said. “I think anyone would agree that Perth Airport is inadequate, particularly given the increase in traffic through it.

“Perth Airport is probably the worst airport of any capital city in the country and yet we are the most rapidly growing State.”

Mr Barnett said he had not seen “much action” at the airport, despite WAC announcing plans in May for a $1 billion redevelopment to merge the domestic and international terminals within seven years.

“What the Prime Minister and I discussed was that we will talk to the operators and we will set about improving Perth Airport,” he said.

WAC corporate and legal affairs general manager Malcolm Bradshaw said the company wrote to Mr Barnett asking for the road network around the airport to be upgraded to reduce congestion and allow for growth.

He said the airport upgrade would benefit the State and resources sector. “We are suggesting that while WAC is making a private investment on new airport facilities, it is appropriate for the State and Commonwealth to invest in public infrastructure outside the airport, which in this context is the public road network, including Tonkin Highway and its adjoining roads,” he said.

Shadow infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan said the State and Federal Governments should fund transport infrastructure such as roads associated with the airport, but not on the facility. “WAC should be making a much larger contribution to even the road infrastructure,” she said. “The WAC is a private company and it is a very lucrative business.”

AMANDA BANKS and YASMINE PHILLIPS

[samboy]

It's a positive article IMO. Airport is more important that a stadium (if we had to choose). Also the fact that they're not asking money for the stadium from the infrastructure fund is a clever political move because a stadium may be seen as a 'luxury' whereas an airport is a necessity. It provides better leverage to obtain money from the federal govt than any other potential infrastructure project and in the scheme of things it frees up state funds to spend on the other stuff.

[Auxodium]

Airbus left Perth Airport just now at 1pm...

[B787-938]

Airbus left Perth Airport just now at 1pm...Airbuses leave Perth everyday :P ....the A380 just left now though ;)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9983/3801uc0.jpg

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/7853/3802yp8.jpg

[Auxodium]

from the pic thread

The A380, coming in to perth today

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/2848/dsc01345copydd1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2075/dsc01389copywq1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/8934/dsc01531copysr6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4541/dsc01461copypd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6880/dsc01492copyvc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/7389/dsc01497copylt7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4813/dsc01513copybp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Citystyle]

I was working at the airport today. Was out on the tarmac Domestic side when it landed.

[izza]

I heard the CEO of WAC on the raido this morning. He says work is well underway on the new apron, and they plan to commence construction of Terminal WA in the first quater next year.

[samboy]

pffft terminal WA. Just an oversized shed!! where's the real temrinals?

[JWPJ]

Shed it may be, but it will take a lot of pressure off the domestic terminal with all those fly-in fly-out workers...

[city_thing]

If any of you remember those renders of the new Zagreb airport that I posted, then here are the runner ups. Any of them would make for a great domestic or international terminal for Perth. Very depressing...

Zaha Hadid's entry >
http://www.d-a-z.hr/files/natjecaji_rezultati-zaha_1-1223027630.jpg

Foster + Partners>
http://www.d-a-z.hr/files/natjecaji_rezultati-foster_2-1223027573.jpg

http://www.d-a-z.hr/files/natjecaji_rezultati-foster_4-1223027573.jpg

Shigeru Ban (this terminal is made of wood) >
http://www.vecernji.hr/system/galleries/pics/081002/aerod-gal2.jpg

http://www.d-a-z.hr/files/natjecaji_rezultati-ban_2-1223027573.jpg

http://www.d-a-z.hr/files/natjecaji_rezultati-ban_1-1223027573.jpg

Tower 151 Architects >

http://www.d-a-z.hr/files/natjecaji_rezultati-yeoman_1-1223027573.jpg

http://www.d-a-z.hr/files/natjecaji_rezultati-yeoman_3-1223027573.jpg

IMHO the Zaha Hadid one is pretty ugly, even though I like a lot of her other works (as repetitive as they are)

The Foster + Partners one is ok, nothing special. The wood one isn't that great either. I really like the Tower 151 design though, especially the garden hole thing in the middle. Reminds me of KLIA's satellite terminals.

[Sanj]

wasnt the winning design by a local firm? can u post those pics again?

[RocStar]

So it’s all in the roof design hey. What a first impression this would make when arriving in Perth.

http://www.d-a-z.hr/files/natjecaji_rezultati-foster_2-1223027573.jpg

This is the sort of stuff Perth really needs to get people here…include the Waterfront, Northbridge Link and new Perth Stadium..World class top ticket items which would ensure we put our mark in the world. This type of shite will draw people to our remote city for work as well as tourism. Only this morning they were talking on how we have to lure hundreds of nurses to Perth…HelLo!

See the spam thread for pix of the convention centre roof.. inspired by your pics CT.

[crave]

perth isn't into making impressions.

:p

[Sanj]

liar! we make bad ones all the time.

[timofperth]

I disagree.
Perth is still a small city, and yes it does have a disturbing, on-going tendency to be adversely affected by the conservative/nimby/stuck in 1961 element of it's populace.

However, if the current population growth projections are correct, or close to it, Perth is going to grow into a much, much bigger, and more diverse city. And the economy of Perth can't be ignored either, this really sets Perth apart from other cities it's size. Of course I think Perth needs a more diverse economy, but the mining and gas industries are a great money earner to have.

The way Perth is now is not the way it has to stay, and I believe that Perth has a great future, I don't believe that Perth will always be in the same basket with other mediocre towns of 1.5 million people, I think it will make something of itself.
Think about all the people moving here from interstae or overseas, they are not going to put up with the backward mindset, and it will start to show when they are voters.

Hmmm if Perth is a small city, then why do cities in USA, for example, like Dallas in Texas, which has a population of 1,232,940, approx 300,000 less than Perth, have so much more?

Picture of Dallas Skyline by Flickr User fcn80

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Dallas_Downtown.jpg/800px-Dallas_Downtown.jpg

[Perth4life]

dallas has a metro pop of like 3million or something.

[Scrawny]

I was at the exsisting Zagreb airport last week and it is abolutely tiny. It wasn't that busy though.

[city_thing]

Dallas's hinterland region is home to something like 7 million people. Plus Dallas Fort Worth airport (it shares the airport with Fort Worth nearby, which is another large city) is the main hub for Texas, which roughly has the same population as all of Australia.

Isn't DFW Airport otherwise known as George Bush International anyway?

TimofPerth - American population stats are very confusing. They only take into account the amount of people that live in the actual city (so if we were applying this to Perth, then we'd say that Perth's population is that of the actual City of Perth, rather than taking into account the sprawling suburbs). So generally American cities have a few more million people living in them than the actual statistics say. That's why NYC is said to have 7 million people living there, when in actual fact it has something like 18 million people. It's just an issue of classification. If we went by this method, and Perth was in the US, then it would be the USA's fourth biggest city.

Talking into account the real populations though, then Perth's tiny compared to US cities. Sydney is roughly the same size as Detroit, so our cities don't even scratch the population numbers they have.

European cities have the same issue as well. London has something like 8 million in the city proper, but 14 million when you looks at the real urban area. Plus Europe is basically just one big city with urban areas everywhere, so cities can seem small when you look at population stats but when you look at the hinterlands surrounding them, then you see what the real population is.

[city_thing]

*cough*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas

Dallas (pronounced /ˈdæləs/) is the third-largest city in the state of Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States.[3] The city covers 342.5 square miles (887 km2), not including water area, and is the county seat of Dallas County.[4] As of June 23, 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimates the population of Dallas at 1,232,940 people.[5]

The city is the main economic center of the 12-county Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, nicknamed "the Metroplex." At over 6.1 million people, it is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

I wouldn't want Perth to have something like this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Dfw_airport.jpg/800px-Dfw_airport.jpg

Dallas Fort Worth International is also the main hub for Southwest Airlines, which helps explain the sheer size of it.

[aaronaugi1]

jebus... i knew it was a big airport but fuck!

thats almost the real life version of this

http://www.sizzledcore.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/800px-dubai_world_central_airport_1_imresolt.jpg

[city_thing]

These mutherfuckers are huge...

Denver International, the largest in the USA.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a1/KDEN_AirportDiag%21.png/800px-KDEN_AirportDiag%21.png

http://regmedia.co.uk/2005/10/14/denver_international_airpor.jpg

Atlanta, home to Delta?

http://www.losviajeros.net/fotos/special/aeropuertos/Atlanta1.jpg

http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/hartsfield_jackson/images/hartsfield_jackson9.jpg

O'Hare in Chicago is pretty nuts

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/O%27Hare_International_Airport_%28USGS%29.png/600px-O%27Hare_International_Airport_%28USGS%29.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/ORD_airport_map.PNG/412px-ORD_airport_map.PNG

Miami (check out how close the houses are to the runway)

http://www.florida-map.org/miami-636.jpg

http://criticalmiami.com/images/559.jpg

[alvse]

Talking about Chicago Airport.... how awesome does this look; :lol:

http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/phpHzj17M.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/phpcc184R.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/php96hdFa.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/php7CD70S.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/phpE0Wf1O.jpg

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4169684/?threadid=4169684

[Skyline Art]

Picture of Dallas Skyline by Flickr User fcn80

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Dallas_Downtown.jpg/800px-Dallas_Downtown.jpg

I like that glass building on the far left, and just left of the advert building with the shoe, the building with the Pyramid roof, it almost looks see through. I wish we had one of these in Perth.


Speaking of airports, I didn't realise that Americans build airports soo big, damn they're massive and look complicated, how does anyone get around there, i suppose pilots have to memorise where they have to park or traverse around when other planes come in. That O'hare in Chicago looks seriously sprawling and with many runways crossing each other...

I doubt any of those above airports have public transport going to them. They look car dominated. i.e. that Miami airport one where the exit goes straight into the terminal and carpark. I wish Perth was like that, but not so car dominated. Just drive in and drive out off a freeway, not have to deal with any traffic lights making one late. Or better still train in and train out without having to get a bus or worry about parking....

[Auxodium]

like this one?
the copied chicago! ;)


http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8986/partix254ga0.jpg

[timofperth]

Dallas's hinterland region is home to something like 7 million people. Plus Dallas Fort Worth airport (it shares the airport with Fort Worth nearby, which is another large city) is the main hub for Texas, which roughly has the same population as all of Australia.

Isn't DFW Airport otherwise known as George Bush International anyway?

TimofPerth - American population stats are very confusing. They only take into account the amount of people that live in the actual city (so if we were applying this to Perth, then we'd say that Perth's population is that of the actual City of Perth, rather than taking into account the sprawling suburbs). So generally American cities have a few more million people living in them than the actual statistics say. That's why NYC is said to have 7 million people living there, when in actual fact it has something like 18 million people. It's just an issue of classification. If we went by this method, and Perth was in the US, then it would be the USA's fourth biggest city.

Talking into account the real populations though, then Perth's tiny compared to US cities. Sydney is roughly the same size as Detroit, so our cities don't even scratch the population numbers they have.

European cities have the same issue as well. London has something like 8 million in the city proper, but 14 million when you looks at the real urban area. Plus Europe is basically just one big city with urban areas everywhere, so cities can seem small when you look at population stats but when you look at the hinterlands surrounding them, then you see what the real population is.

Kewliez, looks like you learn something new every day :). I love how you are explaintory, why Aux and ScraperFan just take the shit outta me :nuts:

[timofperth]

*cough*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas

Dallas (pronounced /ˈdæləs/) is the third-largest city in the state of Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States.[3] The city covers 342.5 square miles (887 km2), not including water area, and is the county seat of Dallas County.[4] As of June 23, 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimates the population of Dallas at 1,232,940 people.[5]

The city is the main economic center of the 12-county Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, nicknamed "the Metroplex." At over 6.1 million people, it is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

I wouldn't want Perth to have something like this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Dfw_airport.jpg/800px-Dfw_airport.jpg

Dallas Fort Worth International is also the main hub for Southwest Airlines, which helps explain the sheer size of it.

HOLY F***

[timofperth]

Talking about Chicago Airport.... how awesome does this look; :lol:

http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/phpHzj17M.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/phpcc184R.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/php96hdFa.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/php7CD70S.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/uf/536890213/middle/phpE0Wf1O.jpg

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4169684/?threadid=4169684

United Airlines liverly sucks

[samboy]

In any case Dallas is a dump. I'd much rather live in Perth. I walked thru the city on a Sunday and it felt dead and souless.
The burbs are just full of steakhouses. It's a shithole.
PS: This was 7 years ago.

[Auxodium]

Kewliez, looks like you learn something new every day :). I love how you are explaintory, why Aux and ScraperFan just take the shit outta me :nuts:

coz u are noob that says it is on a school night... :lol: it is on work nights for me but i dont complain!

[docker]

coz u are noob that says it is on a school night... :lol: it is on work nights for me but i dont complain!

remember he is only 15, so he knows less freedom, he can't drive, his parents wouldn't let him out, teenage's require more sleep according to their biological clocks. so it seems fair to me

[Auxodium]

lol, no intarwebz doesnt play nice round here lol. shame coz bullswool could of carpooled :lol:

yeah but P4L at his age had more sense than to complain like that or not realise how to multiquote...

[city_thing]

I'd love to see somethin' like this for the pier at Perth International. It's Nice Côte-d'Azur International Airport.

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/8779/nicet2hw9.jpg

[Skyline Art]

^^ What is that? It looks like a stadium (but not i.e. the glass) at the airport.... or one big glass dome buildings :lol:

it's a nice shape;

and the clouds look like there's a good storm brewing...

[crazyknightsfan]

It looks like my soup is ready :lol:

[Indictable]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Dfw_airport.jpg/800px-Dfw_airport.jpg


Urban Aviation Sprawl much?

[acc521]

I was at the airport today. Didn't realise that the amount of short term parking has actually decreased since the beginning of this year!

[alvse]

5 Sleeps till I brave Perth Hellport

[crave]

liar! we make bad ones all the time.

oh zing.

you're right. i take it back. lol.

[samboy]

5 Sleeps till I brave Perth Hellport

It's going to seem like a 5 star hotel compared to your destination's airport ;)

[alvse]

It's going to seem like a 5 star hotel compared to your destination's airport ;)

actually... It's the returning I don't like... being interigated by customs make one feel like a criminal :lol:

[crave]

i wouldn't have thought there was anything to brave thru at perth international. tho actually i can't even remember, i was 16 tha last time i went thru international in perth...

hee hee.

:o

[samboy]

actually... It's the returning I don't like... being interigated by customs make one feel like a criminal :lol:

hahaha don't worry mate, unless you're on their dbase (for previous infringements) they'll leave you alone. I know what you mean though. It's more of a psychological thing. They have a tendency to make you feel nervous/uncomfortable even if you don't have anything.
Especially if you're used to breezing thru Asian customs without even a glance.

[hack404]

actually... It's the returning I don't like... being interigated by customs make one feel like a criminal :lol:

It's worse if you are mistaken for being of middle eastern appearance. The random checks are pretty regular...

[Sanj]

haha yeah i can vouch for that.

i dont really get too upset tho. i rather they be a bit overzealous than not give a damn

[aaronaugi1]

^^ What is that? It looks like a stadium (but not i.e. the glass) at the airport.... or one big glass dome buildings :lol:

.

Theres a Dubai-ish idea. Build a stadium at the airport. Fly in - Fly Out spectators.

[city_thing]

Where are you flying to Avlse?

Pilipines?

REgarding that soup-bowl structure at Nice Airport, I thought it would be cool to have it at the end of the pier. Rather than just having a pier that ends with about 2 gates, if you built something like that then there could be 5 or 6.

[alvse]

Yeah... Philippines.... I leave on Friday night at 9:30... arrive in singapre at 2:50 am :(

Flying Tiger...

don't leave singapore till sunday morning ... just after midnight... so will spend most of saturday at Singapore Zoo and saturday evening eating mud crabs :)

[PD]

It's worse if you are mistaken for being of middle eastern appearance. The random checks are pretty regular...

I am a middle-easterner with the last name Sheikh and I have actually been offended when going through airports that noone has bothered to question me, or even just eye-ball me!

Damn right offensive that is. What are they trying to say that I dont look like I HAVE THE BALLS TO BLOW UP A PLANE!!!

:rant::mad2::mad::nuts::crazy2:

[city_thing]

I thought that you were East Asian?

What is your ancestry PD? If you're M-Eastern and Christian, then I'm guessing you might be Lebanese? Arminian?

[JWPJ]

My mum always gets picked for a random drug screening...

[crave]

your mum fits tha trafficker stereotype hey. lol.

:p

[Sanj]

yes PD, what kind of brown are you?

[hack404]

I am a middle-easterner with the last name Sheikh and I have actually been offended when going through airports that noone has bothered to question me, or even just eye-ball me!

Damn right offensive that is. What are they trying to say that I dont look like I HAVE THE BALLS TO BLOW UP A PLANE!!!

:rant::mad2::mad::nuts::crazy2:

Maybe it's just my shifty eyes...

[repi]

I am a middle-easterner with the last name Sheikh and I have actually been offended when going through airports that noone has bothered to question me, or even just eye-ball me!

Damn right offensive that is. What are they trying to say that I dont look like I HAVE THE BALLS TO BLOW UP A PLANE!!!

:rant::mad2::mad::nuts::crazy2:

That's cos most Aussie security officers are slack bastards so they racially profile in the opposite way - they 'randomly' pick the people who they are least likely to have to conduct further investigations into! :lol:

[city_thing]

I remember they searched my bag when I was 13 years old and travelling alone. Some supervisor came out when they had finished and yelled at the searcher guy "look at him, he's a kid you idiot!"

I felt VIOLATED.

[PerthSM]

If you ever want to get anything through customs, simply declare something!

For instance, last time I went through Perth International, I had a couple of pebbles that I had gotten off the beach in England. I told them I had it, they had a quick look at them and sent me on my way! Didn't bother to check the rest of the bag!

My heroin stash went untouched ;)

[jackso]

But the line for declaring stuff is so much longer than the other one!

[alvse]

Last time I went through in January... they checked everyone, there was no declare, non-declare line :(

[Homeroids]

Chicago airport 2003. I just got off the plane from London and I had the worst flu. My hearing in one ear was all but gone and my eyes were more red than Mars. It was a bad flight. A security office calls me over as soon as I get off the gantry and asks me what is wrong with me. My voice was all but gone - I must have looked like I was on some serious drugs. Anyway, he accepted my reason - Flu.

I then go through customs and the young man observed I did not look too well. He gave leave for me to go but suddenly called out after I was but 3 meters away, "Do you have the flu?". "Yes, I do - do not worry, it is not Bird Flu". On my passport I had been through Asia where the Bird flu was highly publicised at the time. Luckily, the customs officer laughed this all off. I think my sarcasm won the day LOL. I only had normal Flu, of course.

[chrisaus]

I had no problems at either end, the check going into australia are pretty strong, you get a bag seach on the air bridge for gels etc... saw the new terminal WA aprox today its huge, its the size of the international aprox again if not bigger.

[Johnvb]

Just announced today... New Jetstar flights from Perth:

Adelaide $69
Cairns $99

Pretty cheap to cairns huh? May have to do a barrier reef holiday, have been meaning to get over there :)

[chrisaus]

Cairns is great, fantasic price, its a pretty quick flight over

[chrisaus]

im surprised no carrier has started flying to hobart yet.

[Johnvb]

From Perth?? I think tiger fly hobart from adelaide and melbourne?

[perth85]

oh man we got the shittiest airport out, have u seen what they built in bangkok, now thats an airport for f@#$n sake

[Auxodium]

that was an awesome airport i have to say

[Sanj]

didnt that airport have massive problems when it opened? new runways cracking, logistical issues etc?

[hack404]

didnt that airport have massive problems when it opened? new runways cracking, logistical issues etc?

Is it better to have those problems as a result of doing something or doing nothing?

[Sanj]

of course it is better to do something, it would be mad to suggest otherwise. It was just a question. Jeez.

So if a big airport is built but it has a number of issues we shouldnt talk about them cos at least it was built?

[hack404]

of course it is better to do something, it would be mad to suggest otherwise. It was just a question. Jeez.

So if a big airport is built but it has a number of issues we shouldnt talk about them cos at least it was built?


I wasn't having a go at you. It was more of a rhetorical question.

[chrisaus]

WA aviation growth eases as China demand slows

* Font Size: Decrease Increase
* Print Page: Print

Geoffrey Thomas | October 24, 2008

THE foot is coming off the accelerator of Western Australia's aviation boom, but it's only to change down from overdrive.

That is the prognosis from Skywest Airlines managing director Hugh Davin on the economic downturn that threatens to ground some planes at Perth's overcrowded airport.

"The light is amber, not red," Mr Davin said this week.

"There is some slight evidence of Chinese demand slowing down and any company that doesn't take note of that is a very brave."

Skywest, like a number of other operators, has been growing at an unprecedented rate serving the resource industry fly-in, fly-out market.

The airline has added two 46-seat Fokker 50s and five 100-seat Fokker 100s to its fleet in little over 15 months.

During the past five years, Perth Airport has experienced unprecedented growth in demand, with the number of passengers using the airport leaping from 4.8 million in 2001-02 to 9.15 million in 2007-08.

Mr Davin said Skywest's client base was blue chip and, while the airline was not planning any changes, it would proceed with caution.

But he cautioned that failure of some of the smaller mining operations was a growing risk for some operators.

"You can't dismiss the possibility and those who have been around the industry for a long time know these things happen," he said.

Resource-contracted airlines are generally protected against both fuel and exchange rate losses in industry-standard contracts.

"Aircraft leases are in US dollars but under contractual terms we can recover the exchange rate impact," Mr Davin said.

The upside for the resource companies was that their products were sold in US dollars.

Network Aviation general manager operations Wally Estermann concurs with Mr Davin's take on the situation.

Mr Estermann noted that the Chinese had recently poured billions into new iron ore joint venture developments and were unlikely to turn off the tap.

"They (the Chinese) were keen to develop new mines to enable more sourcing options to reduce prices," Mr Estermann said. "While there is some caution, the Chinese have made solid commitments and have indicated they are still going ahead. But other projects may be more susceptible to greater change."

Mr Estermann added that Network Aviation's plans to introduce a third Fokker 100, which was in Perth awaiting a D-Check, were still on track, with a newmaintenance hangar under construction.

The airline executives believe the next six months will be pivotal to West Australian aviation. "It is going to tell us about the significance of any Chinese slowdown, it will tell us more about the (airline) competitive situation in WA and what the world economic slowdown is going to do to passenger traffic," Mr Davin said.

On the regular public transport (RPT) front, Mr Davin suggested there has been a slowdown in the eastern states that was prompting some east coast operators to move capacity into WA.

Virgin Blue launched double-daily flights from Perth to Karratha and daily flights to Newman on Tuesday using Embraer jets.

Virgin chief executive Brett Godfrey said the launch of the new routes was a vote of confidence in the market and predicted WA would become an even more important part of the airline's national route network.

But the power levers are coming off a little on RPT operations, cautions Skywest chief executive Paul Daff. "Fair to say a bit of a softening in the market, with mums and dads thinking a bit more carefully about the spending," Mr Daff said.

However, that softening is not dampening Skywest's enthusiasm for an A320 introduction next year or an additional Fokker 100. Mr Davin said: "We are looking at aircraft, collecting information and we may go for another F100.

"And we are still working on the AOC for the A320 so we are ready to move early next year."

The possible slowdown is also not affecting the plans of Westralia Airports Corporation, operators of Perth Airport. Work is proceeding at top pace on the preliminary earth works for the apron of Terminal WA, which will have 36 much-needed stands for mainly intra-state flights.

WAC chief Brad Geatches said: "Perth Airport's plans for the delivery of new airport infrastructure remain on track. We expect to issue a draft major development plan for Terminal WA very soon."

Mr Geatches also clarified reports that WAC was seeking government assistance with the airport redevelopment.

"WAC is not seeking any public funding for on-airport infrastructure," he said.

"What we are seeking is the Government's prioritisation of upgrades to the Main Roads WA arterial road network around Perth Airport."

[chrisaus]

Jetstar launches international services from Perth


Qantas’ budget offshoot Jetstar has launched its first international service from Perth to Denpasar, Bali, as part of the Qantas Group’s two-brand strategy.

The company said Bali would be one of its three new international destinations, along with Jakarta and Singapore.

It will offer four weekly services between Perth and Bali from December 17, and three weekly Perth-Jakarta return services from today. Its daily A320 Perth-Singapore services will commence from December 2.

Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan said Perth, as the airline’s seventh and newest Australian international operation, would provide a significant boost to its expansion strategy, ensuring sustainable growth in the pan-Asian market.

“Jetstar’s introduction of international operations from Perth will deliver thousands of additional seats each week by the Qantas Group to support the continued growth of Perth as an international flying hub and destination,” Mr Buchanan said.

“This includes a 50 per cent jump in Qantas’ weekly services on the important Perth-Singapore route, which is an important link for international visitors from Asia and beyond.”

He said close partnerships with the Westralia Airports Corporation and the WA Government would be a key to developing any growing presence in the state.

“Jetstar’s existing growth strategy for international flying is firmly focused on developing and fostering short haul flying opportunities to and from Australia,” he said.

Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches welcomed another international carrier into Perth and Jetstar’s entry was a sign of the strong growth in the Perth market in recent times.

"We look forward to seeing Jetstar expanding both international and domestic services into Western Australia. WA travellers will benefit from these additional Jetstar services providing more opportunities to travel on low cost carriers,” Mr Geatches said.

[chrisaus]

Air Asia X set for new OZ flights.
Thu 30-Oct-2008 11:13



Long haul Low Cost Carrier, Air Asia X, is set to commence it’s new services to Perth and Melbourne from their main hub in Kuala Lumpur. Perth flights begin next week and will have a daily service and the Melbourne service commences some ten days later and will be served four days each week. Air Asia X already flies to the Gold Coast and the addition of Melbourne and Perth now gives the good citizens of Victoria and WA new opportunities fro low cost travel to Malaysia and beyond.

All Air Asia X flights are operated by modern Airbus A330’s and offers passengers the choice economy class or upgrading to the fully reclining XL seating, which offer the equivalent levels of comfort and leg room that is offered by other airlines Business class. However XL seating comes without all the extras.

As with all LCC’s extras are not included and can be purchased on board. Full in flight meals and seat assignment can also be ordered in advance.

[chrisaus]

Jetstar expands Perth operations with Perth-Adelaide and Perth-Cairns low fare services
Tuesday, 28 October 2008




JetSaver Light one way sale fares from $69 Perth-Adelaide and from $99 Perth-Cairns

Australia’s low fares airline Jetstar has announced a new wave of domestic growth for Perth by offering future daily direct Perth-Adelaide and 3 times weekly Perth-Cairns A320 services.

From 2 February 2009 Jetstar will commence a daily return service between Perth and Adelaide delivering an incremental Qantas Group capacity boost of over 2400 seats each week on the route, with Qantas maintaining existing 5 times daily return frequencies.

From 6 February 2009 Jetstar will replace Qantas’ existing twice weekly B737 direct Perth - Cairns operation with a three times weekly A320 service boosting both frequency and seat capacity on this route and delivering new tourism growth opportunities for both Perth and the Far North Queensland market.

Jetstar currently operates a double daily A320 service (14 times weekly) between Melbourne and Perth, which first commenced flights from Perth in March 2006, and marks the next stage in the carrier’s outlook for future growth in the Western Australia market.

The announcement was made in Perth today as Jetstar celebrated its inaugural international service from Perth, headlined by its direct Perth-Bali (Denpasar) service. Starting as 3 times weekly, it will revert from 17 December to a 4 times weekly service and will complement 3 times weekly Perth-Jakarta flying that starts tomorrow (28 October 2008) and future daily direct Perth-Singapore services from 2 December 2008.

All domestic and international Jetstar routes from Perth will be flown by Jetstar’s fleet of A320 aircraft with 177 all leather seats. Jetstar currently operates a fleet of 31 A320 family aircraft, including 2 A321s, with 65 A320 family aircraft to be accepted into the Jetstar Group over the next six years.

Jetstar is offering special one way JetSaver Light fares at Jetstar.com between Perth-Adelaide from $69 and between Perth-Cairns from $99 for a strictly limited period commencing 9am (AWST) and ending at 10pm (AWST) on Monday 27 October 2008 unless seats sell out prior.

The offer is for travel for Perth-Adelaide services between 28 April 2009 – 16 June 2009 and Perth- Cairns services between 28 April 2009 – 15 June 2009. Special terms and conditions apply. See Jetstar.com.

Jetstar’s all day every day low fares (one way, JetSaver Light) between Perth-Adelaide will commence from $149 and Perth-Cairns from $199 at Jetstar.com.

The value based carrier’s entry on the Perth-Cairns route will boost Qantas Group capacity by almost 60 per cent and is supported by an additional A320 aircraft being based in Cairns, creating additional pilot and cabin crew positions in the city.

Jetstar will now base three A320 aircraft in Cairns by February 2009, with Perth representing the 6th major city serviced by direct flights from tropical Australia’s air gateway.

Jetstar’s Adelaide services will grow to 47 weekly return flights by February 2009 with every day low fare operations to Melbourne (11 times weekly), Sydney (7 times), Brisbane (7 times), Perth (7 times commencing 2 February 2009), Cairns (4 times) and Darwin (4 times).

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the new domestic services further broadened its point to point domestic operations amongst its existing 20 domestic markets and would leverage greater tourism opportunities for Perth, Adelaide and Cairns respectively.

“Our new domestic services from Perth represent both an expansion of the Jetstar brand as well as significant incremental growth for the Qantas Group in Perth as we continue to strengthen our foothold in the West Australian capital,” Mr Buchanan said.

“By February next year Jetstar’s overall offering for the Perth market, including domestic and international services will have significantly grown to 38 weekly return frequencies comprising over 13,400 available weekly seats.

“At a time when the economy appears to be slowing, we are delivering sustainable low fare offerings designed to drive tourism growth and stimulate existing and new traffic on the Perth-Adelaide and Perth-Cairns flight corridors.”
Jetstar offers a Double the Difference Voucher Guarantee on its Perth international and domestic services and wider network. If a Jetstar customer can find a lower fare with another carrier at the same time on the same route with an available JetSaver fare, Jetstar will double the difference in a Jetstar travel voucher, when the Jetstar fare is purchased.

[chrisaus]

Virgin Blue expands services to Western Australia
Airline Code [VOZ]
View More Virgin Blue News
Virgin Blue Profile

Tags :South Pacific, Virgin Blue


Virgin Blue expands services to Western Australia
Virgin Blue Group of Airlines will step up its commitment to Western Australia with the launch of two new destinations along with an additional flight between Perth and Broome. The carrier will begin flights to two destinations of WA - launching daily direct services between Perth and Newman and double daily flights between Perth and Karratha.



Virgin Blue has announced a special AUD9 sale fare (inclusive of taxes and surcharges) one-way between both destinations and Perth. Flights are for travel in Nov-08 and Dec-08.

Virgin Blue’s first flight to Newman will touch down at 9.10am and the inaugural flight to Karratha will land at 2.30pm.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “We looked very closely at the opportunity to bring real value to both Newman and Karratha in terms of competitive air travel and identified both communities as having the need for alternative air travel options. We already have relationships with the mining companies who see the benefits of working with us to achieve their business travel needs in terms of affordability and reliability.”

He continued, “The launch of two new routes is a significant investment for the Virgin Blue Group and is a vote of confidence in the WA market. It also signals our strong focus on WA and our commitment to work with the mining community, the businesses that support the mining communities and of course the general community who rely on air travel to travel to Perth and beyond.”

Virgin Blue will operate the new EMBRAER on both intra-WA routes.

Brett Godfrey added, “Virgin Blue has been trumpeting the merits of competition and affordable fares for years and you only have to look at the figures to see the potential positive impact Virgin Blue will have on travel budgets. It is particularly critical for remote areas where people rely on air travel for access to the rest of the state and country”.

Karratha - Everyday fares start from AUD219* one way on the internet, 23% less than the equivalent competitor fare of AUD283 one-way on the internet. (as at 20-Oct-08)

Newman -Everyday low fares start from AUD199* one way on the internet, 24% less than the equivalent competitor fare of AUD261 one way on the internet. (as at 20-Oct-08)

[Skyline Art]

^^ with all those plans, i guess i can see why Barnett wants the roads upgraded around there...

[perthgazer]

I was just looking on Emirates.com

Only $2050 return to London via Dubai including taxes and charges. Crazy.

[chrisaus]

Dubai is a good stop over because its 11 hours followed by 8 hours which is better than via singapore which is about 5 hours and 14 hours.

[Johnvb]

I was just looking on Emirates.com

Only $2050 return to London via Dubai including taxes and charges. Crazy.

Pretty good from perth, if you want it cheaper fly a budget carrier to Sing/KUL /BKK then get a flight to Europe from there :)

Or wait til AirAsiax announce their flights to the UK from KUL in the next four weeks, they are trying to make the return trip from Oz to the UK for $1000 including taxes

[chrisaus]

Overseas travel hits new highs — for now

*
* Email
* Printer friendly version
* Normal font
* Large font

Tim Colebatch, Canberra
November 1, 2008
Advertisement

IT WAS fun while it lasted. In the year to August, Australians took advantage of the high dollar to make 5.75 million trips overseas — almost 80% to take holidays or see friends and family.

In just seven years since the previous peak in travel, Australians added more than 2 million overseas trips a year to their collective lifestyle, seizing the opportunity to see the world while the high dollar made it cheaper.

In August, the dollar had just begun falling. Now its buying power has shrunk by one-third, and holidays that had been good value are becoming less affordable by the week.

Take Japan. Over the year to August the dollar hovered close to, and occasionally above, 100 yen. While Japanese tourist visits here were shrinking fast, Australians took to visiting Japan in record numbers: 143,000 in the year to August, compared with 70,000 in the previous peak, just before the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Overall, we made almost 2.4 million trips to Asia in the year to August, 1 million more than in the year to August 2001.

Indonesia has been overtaken as Australia's favourite Asian destination by Thailand. In the latest year, 402,000 Australians went to Thailand, up from 161,000 seven years earlier.

New Zealand remained the number one destination, with 914,000 Australians heading across the Tasman.

The US was still the second biggest destination (498,500 visits) with Britain third (431,000). The fastest increases were to less conventional destinations, such as India, 130,000, up 165%), Africa (107,500, up 100%), and Latin America (68,500, up 88%).

The biggest rise of all was in Australians visiting the United Arab Emirates. Seven years ago there were just 9500. Now there are 42,500, and their numbers are growing by 25% a year.

[chrisaus]

erth Airport Welcomes AirAsia X’s Inaugral Flight


Sunday 2 November 2008

The inaugural AirAsia X flight from Kuala Lumpur to Perth Airport touches down at the International Terminal today at 2.40pm and visitors to the terminal will have the opportunity to experience Australian and Malaysian cultures.

Passengers on board the flight will be welcomed on arrival by Aboriginal dancers and have the opportunity get up close with Australian wildlife, including a koala and kangaroo.

Perth Airport Chief Executive Officer Brad Geatches said he was delighted that AirAsia X was now operating services to Perth and welcomed passengers on today’s inaugural flight.

"The arrival of AirAsia X to Perth Airport demonstrates confidence in the inbound and outbound WA tourism markets,” he said.

“Air Asia X offers outstanding value for money to its customers and with six return flights per week between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, we expect to see an increase in visitors to the State from Asia.”

“One of the region’s greatest airline success stories, AirAsia offers outstanding value for money to its customers and access to the Air Asia group network which is one of the best in south-east Asia.”

AirAsia X commences their services with six return flights per week between Perth and Kuala Lumpur. This will increase to daily return services in March 2009. The service will operate using a new wide bodied Airbus A330 aircraft, giving passengers a level of service not normally expected from low cost airlines.

“The low cost fares offered by AirAsia X will make Western Australia a much more affordable destination for the hundreds of millions of people living in destinations throughout Asia served by the AirAsia group.”

“For Western Australian travellers, the arrival of AirAsia X provides an outstanding opportunity to take advantage of low fares to Malaysia and to use the expansive AirAsia group network to visit great holiday, shopping and adventure travel destinations throughout south-east Asia.”

For passengers departing on the inaugural AirAsia X flight from Perth Airport to Kuala Lumpur today at 4.05pm will be treated to a Malaysian cultural dance.

[chrisaus]

Australian airlines are rolling out new services despite economic turbulence, writes Clive Dorman.

In a year when it has been bashed with two large baseball bats - the cost of oil and the world banking crisis - the airline industry can be forgiven for wanting a long nap.

But, in spite of economic times that are unprecedented and perilous, Australian-based airlines are rolling out new services for domestic and international travellers.

The roll-out signals some bargains for consumers, although it is in specific markets.

There's no better example of the holiday value that's about to hit the east coast than the Brisbane-Bali route.

Without a single weekly direct service from Brisbane to Denpasar for most of the decade following the Bali bombings, three airlines have had the same thought simultaneously - that with people now flooding back to Bali, it's time services are restored.

Within a few months, Brisbane will get three big Garuda Airbuses a week, five weekly non-stop 737s from Virgin Blue and a daily one-stop service via Darwin with Jetstar.

Bargain cheapies are now being thrown into the market, but that is nothing compared with what will happen when all those thousands of weekly seats begin competing against each other.

It may well end up cheaper travelling from Melbourne and Sydney to Bali via Brisbane than on the Jetstar and Garuda non-stoppers leaving from those two cities.

Elsewhere, it's Virgin Blue that's probably the most active. Last week, it began the first daily non-stop jet service between Melbourne and Mildura using its new Embraer regional jets and competing with the slower turboprops flown by Qantas and Virgin's regional partner, Rex.

After the initial $2 one-way promotional fares have gone, the new Virgin Blue - a far cry from the first Virgin Blue - looks much more like a high-cost business airline, with $89 one-way the best regular fare for the next few months.

Virgin is also chasing the business dollar out west, launching a second daily Perth-Broome service, a second daily Adelaide-Perth service, a twice-daily Perth-Karratha service and a daily from Perth to Newman, capitalising on the Pilbara mining boom.

This is no bargain route: Virgin's $218 one-way from Perth to Karratha is more than double the regular best fare available on the Melbourne-Brisbane route, the same distance.

Meanwhile, as subsidiary V Australia prepares to begin flying from Sydney to Los Angeles daily in February - the launch delayed by two months because of a strike at a Boeing factory - fares there, too, are similar to Qantas' in the first few months. Best fares are starting from about $2000 return, even though there had been hope V Australia would bring competition to the route.

Even though Qantas has shelved international network growth for the foreseeable future, it, too, will launch a new route, Sydney to Buenos Aires, three times a week from November 24.

Although it cuts the time to get from Australia to onward South American destinations, compared with the Qantas code-shared service from Sydney to Santiago, via Auckland, operated by LAN, don't expect it to be a bargain-hunter's route to Rio.

Virgin's Pacific Blue will soon also begin services from Sydney to Auckland, and Brisbane to Port Moresby and Honiara, with Jetstar deciding to compete on the Sydney-Auckland and Auckland-Gold Coast sectors.

[chrisaus]

Perth Airport increases parking fees ... again
3rd November 2008, 6:30 WST

Perth Airport has jacked up car parking fees less than a year after it increased them by as much as 47 per cent.

The privately owned airport announced it had increased shortterm and long-term parking fees at the international and domestic airports from Saturday.

The daily rate for short-term parking at both airports has risen from $25 to $26.

Long-term parking daily rates will stay the same at $17 for travellers parking from between one and three days but the cost of each day after that has risen from $5 to $7.

Daily rates for parking fees at the international terminal increased from $17 to $25 on January 1.

Westralia Airports Corporation corporate affairs general manager Malcolm Bradshaw said the rises were part of an annual review to recover costs and the new price structure was designed to stop people using shortterm bays for long-term parking.

“We adjust our price so that we have appropriate levels of demand for the different products,” Mr Bradshaw said.

“We want to ensure that our shortterm parking is not so cheap that people use it to park long-term.”

He said parking fees at the domestic airport’s general aviation carpark, which is mostly used by fly-in fly-out workers, would now be free for people parking for less than an hour.
It was formerly $2. But after one hour, the prices have increased.

Traveller Sarah Teakle, 24, of Bullsbrook said she was disappointed.

“For the state of the carpark it’s a bit rich,” she said. “The carpark needs to be upgraded, made a bit bigger and access into the carpark for short-term parking needs to be improved.”

Sister Chloe Teakle, 20, said Perth Airport was expensive compared with Darwin, where they came from.

But Peter and Kerry-Lyn Bailey, of Eaton, said they didn’t mind as long as the carpark was upgraded.

[chrisaus]

Monday, 3 November 2008
AirAsia X touches down in Western Australia
7:20 AM :: 0 Comments :: [Article Rating] :: Airline News, Australia, Malaysia [Click to print]

PERTH: The inaugural AirAsia X flight between Kuala Lumpur and Perth touches down on Western Australian soil today at 2.40pm.

AirAsia X’s first flight into Perth Airport’s International Terminal using the airline’s new wide-bodied airbus A330 marks its second Australian destination after the Gold Coast.

The champion of low-cost long haul travel will also commence services between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne November 12. The airline also operates five return flights each week between Kuala Lumpur and Hangzhou (Shanghai) in China.

AirAsia X will service the route between Kuala Lumpur and Perth initially with six direct return flights per week and by March next year the airline plans to upgrade this schedule to a daily service.

CEO of AirAsia X, Azran Osman-Rani, said the airline was delighted to be bringing its affordable flights to Western Australia.

“We’ve had strong forward sales for tickets for flights between Perth and Kuala Lumpur since we officially launched our service in Western Australia in May this year and we’re expecting that solid show of support from Australian and Malaysian travellers to continue into 2009 and beyond,” Osman-Rani said.

“We have launched a number of travel deals for cheap flights between Perth and Kuala Lumpur which have sold extremely well and garnered an enthusiastic response from Australian travellers keen to experience everything Malaysia has to offer. Forward bookings indicate over 25,000 people will use this service in November and December 2008 alone.

“AirAsia also boasts an incredible route network to ASEAN and China where we have the biggest connections in South East Asia. We have found the take-up of tickets for Perth flights from Malaysian travellers has been significant.

“With our expanding Australian network which soon will service Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Perth, AirAsia X is committed and poised to position Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur as its dynamic capital, as Asia's biggest low-cost hub.”

Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches said he was delighted that AirAsia X was now operating services to Perth and welcomed passengers on today’s inaugural flight.

"The arrival of AirAsia X to Perth Airport demonstrates confidence in the inbound and outbound WA tourism markets,” he said.

“Air Asia X offers outstanding value for money to its customers and with six return flights per week between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, we expect to see an increase in visitors to the State from Asia.”

Osman-Rani said the start of AirAsia X’s new services into Perth was a reflection of the collaborative effort between the Western Australia Government, Tourism Western Australia, AirAsia X and Perth Airport.

“All stakeholders have worked together cohesively and collaboratively to make this operation a success,” Osman-Rani said.

Passengers travelling on board AirAsia X flights between Kuala Lumpur and Perth will experience the carrier’s new wide-bodied Airbus A330 aircraft, which provides passengers with a level of service not normally expected from low cost airlines.

AirAsia X’s new planes will feature the latest technology, fixed-backshell seats with trademark sleek black leather upholstery, in-flight entertainment featuring innovative content and applications and Wi-Fi access.

To mark the 1st birthday of AirAsia X following its first flight into the Gold Coast in November 2007 celebratory airfares are available for passengers travelling from Perth to Kuala Lumpur for $157* including taxes and charges, from Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur for $171* and Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur for $182*.

Flights and fares are subject to availability and are for one way travel only.

[acc521]

Less parking bays that are more expensive. At least we have decent PT links and a decent taxi service. Oh wait...

[B787-938]

Air Asia's first flight on Sunday had to return to KUL after departure due to issues with the plane :lol: thats the reason for an article on both Sunday and Monday claiming the 1st flight arrives on that day. Had it been Qantas the whole article would have been about the return to KUL and aircraft problems.

[Sanj]

yeah well dont let anyone tell u qantas arent having any problems.

i know of 3 different ppl on 3 different flights recently whose flights have been changed by more than 12 hours, some at the last minute abnd others a few weeks before hand. ppl are being told sorry the flight u booked in the afternooon in 2 weeks time is no longer available, canu fly the night before at 5am.

[Johnvb]

AirAsia flights to london are coming!!!!

http://www.airasia.com/site/my/en/home.jsp

Click on the little box on the RHS and get your details in so you can be notified of the crazy arse sale they will have when they announce it in a few weeks. Rumour is that it will be Perth to London for $1000 AUD including taxes :)

Im booking when they announce it..

[Swan]

^ plus the $1000 in physio fees you'll need.

[chrisaus]

I could not fly that far with out on demand entertainment and endless food/drinks

[PerthSM]

^^

One way or return? $1k one way isn't that good..

[chrisaus]

That would be return probably and introduction fare, i would expect regaular fares to be several hundred more than that

[city_thing]

I find this very frustrating.

Tianjin's new airport terminal is finished and it's set to handle just 10 million passengers per year - roughly the same as Perth does now. But look at it! It's awesome! It's simple and effective...

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3849/30qi9.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/5697/25qg1.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8579/23tu5.jpg

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3152/17nn3.jpg

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/8489/10de0.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8889/26999040zy4.jpg

Sigh.

[Johnvb]

I could not fly that far with out on demand entertainment and endless food/drinks

AirAsia X has on demand entertainment in the backs of seats in their new aircraft for 25MYR charge...

Food can be purchased for $7 per meal...

Drinks can be purchased or brought on from duty free...

The $1000 fare is supposed to be their standard fare RETURN, less on sale. I think for the savings its worth it

[chrisaus]

how much extra for the x tra large seat?

[crave]

that airport is shocking :p

[chrisaus]

AirAsia offers free flights and no fuel surcharge

BUDGET airline AirAsia has become the first airline to abolish fuel surcharges, and will also give away free tickets in a bid to lure travellers back.

The airline said yesterday it would waive fuel fees on all its flights, including on longhaul carrier AirAsia X, and would give away half a million free tickets in three days for travel between June 22 and October 24, 2009 on all its domestic and international destinations.

AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes said passengers would not see a corresponding increase in ticket prices with the removal of fuel surcharges but the existing airport tax fee would continue.

He said that although many airlines were cutting capacity as a result of an expected global recession, AirAsia was planning on increasing routes and capacity because of its low prices, high load factors and aggressive marketing.

"What we are doing is to produce more routes and lower prices to fight out of the economic recession,'' he said.

Mr Fernandes said that while scrapping the fuel surcharge was unlikely to affect the airline's profitability, the carrier would initiate other programs to make up for the loss of revenue.

The airline has made the move in the face of declining numbers of air travellers because of the global economic crisis.

It joins both Virgin Blue and Singapore Airlines in cutting fuel levies.

The price of crude oil has also dropped in the past few months, cutting the cost to airlines of getting their planes in the air.

Related story Grounded: Aussie airline axed as costs take off
Related story Cost cuts: Airfares slashed to tempt travellers

Virgin Blue yesterday announced it would cut fuel surcharges on its airfares by 20 per cent.

The fuel surcharge for a one-way domestic flight will fall to $19 and to $35 for Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue one-way international flights.

Singapore Airlines cut the levy by up to $22 for business and economy class passengers travelling to or from Australia.

Meanwhile, Tiger Airways has reduced its airfares by a third to coincide with its first birthday.

The cheap one-wa