New lounge a stunning gateway to direct international flights
Canberra Airport today unveiled designs of the stunning new international departures lounge and arrivals hall which will greet the ACT Region’s first international passengers on September 21 this year.
In revealing the designs, Canberra Airport Managing Director Stephen Byron said the Airport was investing $18 million on the international fitout.
“What you are seeing today is so much more than just revealing some interiors. For us, and Australia’s national capital, it is a step closer to the realisation of a dream that has been 18 years in the making,” Mr Byron said.
New lounge a stunning gateway to direct international flights
“It is the final critical piece of the spectacular evolution from little more than a shed in a sheep paddock we bought in 1998, where they used to cart the rubbish out the front door, to allowing international visitors direct access to Australia’s National Capital, and putting Canberra firmly on the world map.
“We are on the cusp of global connectivity, with one of the world’s greatest carriers, Singapore Airlines, connecting us with 100 locations in 35 countries around the world.
“Of course, we’d always allowed the space for dedicated international facilities, but it wasn’t until we had secured an international carrier with regular scheduled flights that it made economic sense to plan and build the fitout. The planning phase started the day after we signed with Singapore Airlines and now we are ready to go full steam ahead with the building.
“The space set aside will be integrated seamlessly with the existing airport infrastructure and transformed into a gateway truly befitting our national capital.
“I’ve said it before, but we simply cannot overstate the impact that international flights have on this city and this region.
“Canberra is truly the airport for the whole of the southern part of NSW, and will become the international airport of choice for a large proportion of people who live immediately south and west of Sydney.
“It will be easier, more cost-effective and quicker to fly internationally from Canberra.”
My Byron said the design was more akin to the quality and standard expected from airline club lounges that an airport waiting area.
“We are breaking the rules here. Normally lounges like this are done by airlines for their VIP travellers. We are doing it for every passenger who travels internationally, in and out of Canberra. All our customers will be treated as club lounge members with the best of design, furnishings and amenities in the general public areas.”
Guida Moseley Brown Architects, who designed the airport terminal, have designed the interiors for the new 2,750m2 public departure lounge and 2,400m2 arrival hall, to be developed in the spaces reserved for those functions. Local firm Construction Control will build the project with 120 jobs created during construction.
Guida Moseley Brown described the architecture for the new departure lounge and arrival hall as building upon “the dynamic quality of the existing terminal’s main hall; incorporating folding ceiling panels and skylights to create a generous, contemporary and light filled space. The design’s sculptural quality celebrates the beauty of aviation technology and the dynamic atmosphere of contemporary travel”.
The new public departure lounge will include state of the art business and media lounges, private meeting rooms, an expansive bar and café dining area, and a variety of different seating and meeting areas, ranging from formal business oriented spaces to relaxed social and private spaces.
The use of innovative seating modules will provide visitors with a sense of privacy and intimacy, while providing the power and data connections required by the modern traveller.
The new area will have capacity for up to one million international passengers a year, accommodating concurrent operations by a wide-body and narrow-body aircraft (250-330 seats and 180-210 seats respectively).
“We will have new food and beverage facilities in the international departures area and we recently closed a tender for the operation of duty free shopping.
“And, we are working closely with the Australian Border Force, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Office of Transport Security towards the implementation of customs, quarantine and immigration facilities.
“We have delivered the best domestic terminal facility in the country, and will deliver the best international terminal to match it,” Mr Byron said.
The first international flight with Singapore Airlines will arrive in Canberra from Singapore on 21 September at 8.50am and then depart for Wellington at 10.15am.
Media inquiries: Jane Seaborn 0414 829 282