Perth Airport unveils its plans to grow regional aviation in WA

With regional passenger numbers continuing to surge, Perth Airport has started work on three key projects in the Airport Central precinct that will help cater for WA’s growing regional aviation sector.

These works come off the back of almost 550,000 intrastate travellers passing through Perth Airport last month – the highest single month regional passenger number on record.

The projects include expanding the current Terminal 2 apron, building a new maintenance hangar for VARA – Virgin Australia Group’s regional and charter flying operation, and the development of a new Aviation Support Precinct to provide additional aviation support facilities for airport operators. Perth Airport has engaged local construction partners West Coast Civil and Perkins Builders to deliver these important projects for Western Australia.

Comments attributed to Deputy Premier Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA

“Our government is committed to increasing the capacity of regional aviation and its fantastic to see Perth Airport also making investments that will support improved aviation in our regions.

“Our Regional Zone Cape Scheme is making flying cheaper and more sustainable for regional communities with more than 150,000 capped airfares flown in the first 12 months, while our support for the inter-regional flight network has seen the establishment of new regional airline in Nexus Airlines.”

Comments attributed to Acting CEO Perth Airport Kate Holsgrove:

“Perth Airport’s continuous and efficient operations are crucial for the viability of the $83 billion WA resource sector. “Following the last resources boom, the opening of Terminal 2 (T2) in 2013 made a significant impact on how efficiently the airport operated, creating more capacity and a greatly improved customer experience.

“Since opening more than 10 years ago, the terminal has experienced a 54 per cent increase in passenger numbers. The apron has now reached capacity with aircraft parking on taxiways overnight to be ready for the early morning peak departures.

“There are currently 38 overnight aircraft parking positions at T2, 18 of which are remote positions used for parking by airline partners from both T2 and T1D.

“Based on the demand of our airline partners, we will deliver an additional six remote parking positions by early next year and we are also looking at delivering an additional 11 positions, providing 55 parking positions for T2 in the future – providing a 45 per cent increase in capacity.

“The expansion of the apron provides operational flexibility for our airline partners within the Airport Central precinct and allows them to grow their business.

“We are also pleased to partner with VARA to support their growth in Western Australia and assist with their requirements into the future – which includes a new maintenance hangar and apron facility which is anticipated to be completed by September 2024.

Comments attributed to VARA Executive General Manager, Nathan Miller

“Western Australia is the home of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, and this new maintenance hangar and apron facility is another significant milestone that underscores our continued commitment to the state and our growth here.

“The new facility will support the ongoing delivery of our fleet renewal program with the capacity to service our new larger fuel-efficient 737-700 aircraft. It will also deliver greater operational efficiency enabling us to consolidate our maintenance, engineering and storage to one central base.

“This follows several key investments that bolster our operations and infrastructure in the state of Western Australia, including the establishment of a new local training base and a brand-new corporate

HQ in the heart of Perth CBD this year.”

Comments attributed to West Coast Civil Construction Manager James Webb

“We are delighted to work with Perth Airport on a project that will cater for future growth in the Airport Central precinct by delivering an expanded apron and also an area that will provide aviation support businesses to grow. “In a unique and vibrant display of support for mental health, we’ve also partnered with the Happiness Co Foundation on this project by painting our Case 9250 Tractor teal.

“This is not only an expression of support but a meaningful reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need to promote open discussions and support for mental health in the workplace.

Comments attributed to Perkins Builders Managing Director Dan Perkins

“Perkins has worked alongside Perth Airport on many important projects that have helped support aviation in Western Australia. “The team will be constructing a new Code C hangar with workshop, warehouse and office building space with additional apron space – providing the flexibility for VARA to grow its operations at Perth Airport.