Plans for the biggest expansion at Sydney Airport since the 2000 Olympics have been unveiled as the airport outlines its vision to accommodate 72 million annual passengers by 2045.

(above image: terminals T22 and T3 will be expanded and connected by a new Western Concourse (highlighted)

Sydney Airport has released its preliminary draft Master Plan 2045.

The plans sets out the airport’s long-term vision about how it will grow over the next two decades.

(artist impression of terminal expansion)

This includes upgrades across terminals, airfield and aviation facilities.

At the heart of a plan is a proposed expansion that will link the T2 and T3 domestic terminals.

Under the plan, the terminals will be linked by a new Western Concourse, through which passengers will be able to travel between one terminal and the other.

This will create a new precinct in which regional, domestic and internationals services are brought together under one roof.

Both terminals will also accommodate additional contact aircraft bays, contact gates, airline and departure lounges, dwell areas and additional retail and food and beverage offerings.

The plan also includes progressive upgrades to the T1 Operations Precinct. This will include terminal expansions, additional contact bays and improved baggage handling and ground transport.

All up, the proposed vision will add twelve new gates to the T2 and T3 terminals as well as two new gates to the T1 terminal.

The terminals may also undergo apron reconfiguration to accommodate a greater variety of aircraft.

(artist impression of the new Western Concourse that will connect terminals T2 and T3)

The plan comes as the airport is expecting significant expansion in passenger numbers and freight volumes over the next two decades.

This is expected to occur despite the opening of the new international airport in Western Sydney.

All up, annual passenger numbers through the airport are expected to grow by around 75 percent from 41 million in calendar 2024 to around 72 million by 2045.

This will occur as the proportion of international passengers travelling through the airport increase from just under 40 percent of overall passenger numbers now to more than half (50.4 percent) by 2045.

Meanwhile, anticipated freight volumes will more than double current levels to reach 1.4 million tonnes by 2045.

By 2045, the airport is expected to support more than 105,000 direct jobs and to help support an additional 455,000 indirect jobs in freight, trade and tourism.

The airport has also released its new five-year environment strategy, which aims to embed environmental goals into long-term planning.

(artist impression of expanded terminals from an airfield view)

Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO, welcomed the plan and encouraged stakeholders and the community to provide feedback.

Charlton said that the proposed expansion joining the T2 and T3 Terminals will be the most significant development at Sydney Airport since the Olympics.

“When Sydney Airport grows, so does business, trade, tourism and jobs,” Charlton said.

“This plan is about building the future of Australia’s gateway and ensuring we are ready to play our part in NSW’s ambitious visitor economy strategy.”

The plan is on exhibition until 12 December.

 

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