Perth Airport Applauds Government Support for Gateway WA
Friday, 30 July 2010
Today’s announcement by the Labor Government that, if re-elected, it will spend up to $450 million improving the road network in the vicinity of Perth Airport, has been welcomed by the operator of the airport, Westralia Airports Corporation.
“The Gillard Labor Government’s announcement that if re-elected, it will provide substantial funding to upgrade the roads in the vicinity of Perth Airport, is great news for users of the airport, community members in the City of Belmont, Swan and Kalamunda and the hundreds of companies who are located in the Kewdale industrial area” commented Perth Airport CEO, Brad Geatches.
“Perth Airport has been working closely with both the Federal and State Governments to ensure that planning for the redevelopment of Perth Airport is coordinated with urban planning in the Kewdale area and today’s road funding announcement provides much needed certainty on the long-term access to Perth Airport, which is currently hampered by the morning and afternoon peak hours” he continued.
The Federal Government’s Infrastructure Australia process has provided much-needed focus on identifying infrastructure projects of national significance. The current Gateway WA proposal includes:
• Building an interchange at the intersection of Leach and Tonkin Highways
• Widening Tonkin Highway (Great Eastern Highway to Roe Highway) to a six lane freeway
• Building a grade separated interchange at the intersection of Tonkin Highway and Horrie Miller Drive/Kewdale Road
• Upgrading the intersection between Roe and Tonkin Highways to a full freeway-to-freeway interchange
• Building a flyover at the intersection of Leach Highway and Abernethy Road
• Upgrading Orrong Road (from Leach Highway to Graham Farmer Freeway)
Perth Airport is well advanced with the detailed design of the 1st stage of airport redevelopment which will see an investment in the airport exceeding $400 million over the next three years. In the coming months Perth Airport will be releasing further details and images of the 1st stage of redevelopment which will commence in early 2011.
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Guess Who's Opened at Perth Airport
Friday, 9 July 2010
GUESS, one of the world’s most recognised and fashion-forward accessory brands, has officially opened at Perth Airport’s International Terminal. GUESS is the third new fashion outlet to open at Perth Airport since December 2009, joining renowned women’s fashion brands Witchery and Diva.
Scott Norris, Perth Airport’s General Manager Commercial Services, says of the opening: “The growth in the number of new retail stores opening at Perth Airport coincides with the significant increase in passenger numbers over the last financial year. The opening of GUESS marks an important step forward for the airport and reinforces our strategy of providing passengers with more relevant retail and food and beverage options and a consumer-centric environment across all product categories.”
Perth Airport is the fifth airport store that GUESS has opened in Australia, and only the second in Western Australia, joining over 1,100 outlets worldwide.
Simon Nankervis, Managing Director of Guess Australia (Busbrand Pty Ltd), commented: “Being a globally recognised brand we see a great synergy with Australia’s major international airports. Perth Airport’s International Terminal is one of the country’s major gateways and sets the perfect platform for GUESS to not only showcase the brand to a local and international market but also provide travelling passengers with the GUESS experience.”
Perth Airport will shortly commence works to redevelop the International Terminal. Works will include an expanded arrivals hall and duty free store, 14 additional check-in counters, an increase in the number of aircraft boarding gates and a significant expansion of the departures lounge, including new retail areas. These works will take place over the next three years.
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Perth Airport Supports Growth of Asian Markets
Monday, 12 April 2010
Westralia Airports Corporation, the operator of Perth Airport, has congratulated AirAsia on its announcement of increased services between Perth and Kuala Lumpur and Perth and Bali.
From 1 August 2010, AirAsia will introduce an additional daily service between Perth and Kuala Lumpur and from 1 June 2010, flights between Perth and Bali will increase from two to three flights per day.
Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches said “it is an exciting phase in low cost air travel and the AirAsia group has an outstanding reputation for service, reliability and value which has been embraced by the Western Australian market.
“The announcement of increased services by AirAsia provides an outstanding opportunity for Western Australians to take advantage of low fares to Malaysia and Indonesia and to use the expansive AirAsia group network to visit great holiday, shopping and adventure travel destinations throughout south-east Asia and even on to London.”
“The increased services offered by AirAsia will also 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.
AirAsia services the most extensive network in Asia with over 130 routes covering over 65 destinations and in 2009 was named the World's Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax.
Mr Geatches emphasised that the south-east Asian market was very important to Perth Airport.
“It was just over two and a half years ago that Perth Airport began discussions with AirAsia to bring the carrier to Western Australia and I am pleased that we have been able to support the growth experienced in the south-east Asian market. AirAsia’s announcement today highlights the strong economic and cultural ties which exist between Western Australia and our Asian neighbours and confirms the value of our investment in this market.”
Financial year to date, over 2.26 million passengers have travelled through the International Terminal which represents a 14.5% increase on the same period last year. In the 2009 calendar year, the number of Western Australians travelling to Indonesia and Malaysia increased by 50% and 43% respectively, while the number of Malaysians travelling to Perth increased by 50%.
Perth Airport has recently confirmed its plans for significant investments to be undertaken at the International Terminal, forming part of the airport’s redevelopment plans. The investments will see improved efficiencies for travellers with:
• An expanded baggage reclaim, quarantine inspection and arrivals hall
• Additional check-in counters
• Additional aircraft boarding gates
• A significant expansion of the departures lounge
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Updated Notice for Passengers Travelling 22 March 2010
Flights at Perth Airport’s International and Domestic Terminals are operating after this afternoon’s severe weather conditions, however delays are expected to continue.
Westralia Airports Corporation, the operator of Perth Airport, is assisting Qantas with its facilitation of Qantas domestic flights.
Passengers travelling on Qantas domestic flights should contact Qantas directly for flight information.
Perth Airport General Manager Corporate Affairs, Alana Pham said the airport was monitoring the weather warnings and was preparing for any potential delays to flights throughout the evening.
“Due to the severity of the weather, delays are anticipated and we are working to ensure passengers within the terminals are comfortable.
“Travellers are advised to contact the airline they are travelling with, or to view the Perth Airport website: www.perthairport.com for updated flight information.
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Perth Airport Welcomes ACC Report
Passengers have rated Perth Airport as having the second highest quality of service of Australia’s major airports.
The report also comments positively on Perth Airport’s car parking quality of service in terms of availability and standard.
These results have been released today by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in its Airport Monitoring Report on Australian capital city airports for 2008/09.
Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches commented “it was pleasing to see the ACCC have recognised in their media release that ’Perth Airport has undertaken sizeable investments to address quality of service problems, with the airport reporting investment of 19 per cent of assets in 2008/09. This is the second highest level of investment by monitored airports in 2008/09.
“These results reflect the fact that the travelling public are seeing the benefits of the investments we have made and continue to make at Perth Airport. This report shows we are meeting the needs of the travelling public.
“We welcome the ACCC’s view that Perth Airport has not misused market power in setting prices for and in delivering aeronautical services. This shows that that the light-handed regulatory approach in place now for eight years is working.
“These regulatory arrangements are a major reason why during 2009/10 Perth Airport will continue to invest in airport facilities and infrastructure and there is more to come with over $300 million to be invested over the next three years with our airport redevelopment plans.
“We are particularly pleased with the outcomes of the car parking survey. Last year we made a significant investment in our car park products, constructed around 2,000 new car bays and introduced a high quality shuttle bus service for our long term car parks.
“We spoke with travellers, conducted interviews and undertook research to deliver the car parking options they were seeking.
“Frequent travellers to the Domestic Terminals would have also seen the works taking shape at the front of the Domestic Terminals which have been designed to improve vehicle and pedestrian access.
“The new eight bay taxi boarding area is now in operation and already we have seen major improvements in the reduction of queuing times.
“On completion of these works in April this year, travellers will experience a more pleasant journey to and from
Perth Airport’s Domestic Terminals,” Mr Geatches said.
Overall airport ratings for quality of service:
Rank Airport
1st Brisbane
2nd Adelaide
3rd Perth
4th Melbourne
5th Sydney
Other areas highlighted within the report include:
Summary
The monitoring results do not indicate that Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth airports have exercised their market power at the expense of airlines who are the users of aeronautical services. (Summary pg vii)
2.3.2 ACCC’s interpretation of the monitoring data
Indeed, Perth Airport has undertaken sizeable investment to address the quality of service problems more recently. Therefore it appears less likely that Perth Airport has been earning monopoly rents. (Pg 40)
3.3.2 Passengers’ ratings of the airports’ quality of service
Perth Airport was rated the highest, on average, by passengers over most of the reporting period with an average of 4.18 (good) between 2004-05 and 2008-09. However in 2008-09, it was rated 4.19 and therefore ranked second behind Brisbane Airport. (Pg 60)
4.2 How much does it cost to park at the airports?
Perth Airport charges the least of the monitored airports for stays of four hours and 24 hours in its short term car park as well as a one day stay in its long term car park. (Pg 67)
Section 8
From 2004-05 to 2008-09, Perth Airport’s overall rating for international terminal facilities and services was satisfactory. The overall rating for the domestic terminal increased to good in 2008-09. (Pg 191)
Chart 8.2.2: Perth Airport – overall quality of service ratings for availability and standard of airport facilities
In 2008-09, the overall rating for availability of airport facilities increased within the satisfactory range to 3.79 with the rating for standard following the same trend, increasing from 3.47 in 2007-08 to 3.74. (Pg 206)
Chart 8.3.4: Perth Airport – international passenger survey ratings for car parking
International passengers rated Perth Airport’s car parking availability and standard as good in 2008-09, both up from satisfactory in 2006-07 and 2007-08 (chart 8.3.4). The time taken to enter car parking facilities was consistently rated as good over the whole reporting period. (Pg 227)
Chart 8.3.5: Perth Airport – domestic passenger survey ratings for car parking
Domestic passengers rated Perth Airport’s car parking availability as good in 2008-09, up from satisfactory over the previous four years (chart 8.3.5). Car parking standard ratings were satisfactory over the whole reporting period. The time taken to enter was consistently rated as good over the whole reporting period. (Pg 228)
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Perth Airport Congratulate Qantas Airways for terminal upgrade
Thursday 10 December 2009
Westralia Airports Corporation, the operator of Perth Airport, has congratulated Qantas Airways at the unveiling of its $75 million investment upgrade of its Domestic Terminal, earlier today.
The major upgrade sees additional baggage carousels, six new check-in counters, an additional aerobridge and new security screening points.
Perth Airport CEO, Brad Geatches commented the new facilities and upgrades will markedly improve all customer touch points within the Qantas Domestic Terminal.
“We are extremely pleased to see the level of investment made by Qantas and we are confident their customers will notice an improved customer experience.
“The spacious new check-in and security screening areas are key features that visitors to the terminals will immediately notice, making their experience at Perth Airport more enjoyable.
“We are also very pleased to see these new facilities are in operation prior to the holiday season,” Mr Geatches said.
Perth Airport’s investment program also includes the major redevelopment of the front of the terminal forecourt. Work is well advanced on this program to improve the flow of traffic and pedestrian access to the front of the terminals. The combined investment made by Perth Airport and Qantas Airways in the domestic precinct will have exceeded $100 million by the end of the year.
“On the 18 December we will open the new dedicated taxi pick up lane for arriving passengers. This dedicated lane will include 8 bays for taxi pick up, providing a more efficient taxi boarding process for arriving passengers.
“We have also increased the forecourt area at the front of the terminal by around 5m, creating more space and thoroughfare and are constructing overhead all weather canopies out to the short-term car park.
“These front of terminal works are taking shape and visitors are certainly seeing the improvements being made. We recognise there is a level of disruption to the travelling public, as with any works around a 24/7 operation, however we expect the full works to be completed by the end of March next year,” Mr Geatches said.
Further developments to take shape in the domestic terminal precinct include expanding the capacity of the current domestic terminal with new aerobridges, expanded departures and new retail and an on-airport public road linking the international and domestic terminal precincts, which will reduce the time to transfer between the precincts to 10 minutes.
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Perth Airport Welcomes Master Plan Approval
Tuesday, 3 November
Westralia Airports Corporation, the operator of Perth Airport, has welcomed the approval of its 2009 Master Plan by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese yesterday.
The approval of the new Master Plan is another important milestone for the company’s plans to redevelop Perth Airport.
Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches said the Master Plan consultation and approval process had been rigorous resulting in the plans being subject to a high level of scrutiny to ensure the publics’ interests are met.
“The Master Plan describes Perth Airport’s land use and development plans for the next twenty years and beyond. Our recently completed major financing process which includes $950 million of lender and shareholder commitments will underpin our plans to build an outstanding airport for Perth.”
The Master Plan properly recognises that airport plans cannot be developed in isolation. The airport plans must integrate with Perth’s broader urban and infrastructure plans and, importantly take into account the impact of the airport on surrounding communities and the environment.
The Master Plan recognises that congestion during the traditional morning and evening metropolitan peaks is making it increasingly difficult to get to and from the airport, even though those peaks do not coincide with the airport’s peak operating hours.
Mr Geatches commented “We have appreciated the support of both the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments in developing long-term plans for the arterial road network in the vicinity of Perth Airport.
“The Commonwealth’s funding of the development of a Perth Airport Transport Master Plan and the Perth Urban Transport and Freight Corridor Upgrade are excellent initiatives and a model for future transport infrastructure planning.
“We are also very pleased to see the Master Plan announcement highlighted the Commonwealth and State Governments will be working together in identifying and improving the critical transport needs to the airport.”
The Master Plan also includes important information and processes to manage the impact of aircraft noise on communities surrounding Perth Airport.
The recent change in flight paths implemented by Airservices Australia to improve air safety resulted in changes in aircraft noise exposures and legitimate community concern.
Mr Geatches commented “While over time improving aircraft and air navigation technology will continue to reduce noise exposure it remains essential that Perth Airport, Airservices and other industry stakeholders work closely with communities to manage noise impacts.
“We are mindful of the importance in communicating airport developments with the community and matters such as flight paths. Next year we will be undertaking essential runway works to ensure the high level of safety for our airfield infrastructure is maintained and Perth Airport is committed to communicating these works to the local community.
“We are pleased that our Master Plan has been approved and we are looking forward to implementing our plans to deliver facilities and services that all Western Australians will be proud of,” Mr Geatches said.
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