Canberra Airport was purchased by Capital Airport Group Pty. Ltd. in May 1998 from the Commonwealth Government. At the time of purchase, the Airport consisted of a small-scale terminal, general aviation precinct as well as the RAAF Fairbairn base.
14 years after privatisation, Canberra Airport precinct now comprises the terminal as well as Brindabella Business Park, Majura Park and Fairbairn, all of which have undergone extensive development.
With the opening of the new terminal on March 13, 2013, Canberra Airport now represents one of the most significant infrastructure projects for the ACT and surrounding region, with a growing role as a national transportation hub, commercial business park and retail destination.
Formed initially by Terry Snow and Stephen Byron, the Capital Airport Group has a management team and staff that are responsible for the ongoing development and operation of the Airport as a whole.
Being awarded the ‘Australian Airport of the Year’ Award twice in 2002 and 2007 demonstrates the commitment by Canberra Airport and the Capital Airport Group team to the surrounding community.
Long term investment in all precincts including the new terminal to accommodate the growth of Canberra Airport will generate significant economic benefits that will be shared on a local, regional and national scale.
The Airport Precincts
The Terminal
With an investment of $420m the all new Canberra Airport, befitting the Nation’s Capital, opens 13 March 2013.
The new terminal will cover over 55,000m2 and include:
- 3300 car parking spaces;
- 10 passenger aerobridges;
- 34 check-in counters;
- 6 baggage carousels;
- Taxi rank with indoor passenger waiting area;
- A number of food, beverage and retail offerings; and
- Environmental initiatives that aim for it to be the greenest airport in the country.
Brindabella Business Park
Considered to be one of Australia’s greenest business centres, Brindabella Business Park is make up of 18 world-class commercial buildings totalling 100,000m2 NLA, which houses approximately 5,000 workers within them. The Park also consists of a childcare facility, service station, gymnasium, numerous cafe and restaurants as well as sporting fields; all of which make the Park an ideal business environment.
Majura Park
At Canberra Airport’s newest precinct, Majura Park distinguishes itself from the other precincts in its diverse range of offerings to the Canberra region. Situated northwest of the Airport, Majura Park offers around 26,000m2 NLA of commercial office accommodation as well as 44,500m2 NLA of retail floor area. In addition to Costco Wholesale and the newly opened Majura Park Shopping Centre, which houses Australia’s largest Woolworths and new Big W concept store, development is underway and nearing completion for Master Hardware. Majura Park is also home to a 25m lap pool, swim school and gymnasium.
Fairbairn
Fairbairn is the Canberra Airport’s largest commercial precinct, steeped in tradition as a former RAAF base, essentially forming the second stage of the Airport’s business hub, and currently accommodating around 2,000 workers.
