CONFIDENT INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS DELIVER MELBOURNE AIRPORT’S BUSIEST CHRISTMAS WEEKEND ON RECORD

Traditionally the weekend before Christmas is busy at Melbourne Airport, but the weekend of 20-21 December 2008 exceeded records with 32,812 international passengers departing and arriving in to Melbourne, an increase of 2,065 passengers on the previous year’s weekend before Christmas.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE BUSY FESTIVE SEASON

The Christmas and New Year period is one of the busiest periods of the year for air travel. Melbourne Airport will be a hive of activity, with over 1.2 million passengers expected to travel through the airport in the next three weeks.

20 year vision for Melbourne Airport approved by Federal Minister

The Melbourne Airport draft Master Plan 2008-2028 (dMP) has been approved by the Federal Minister for Transport
the Hon Anthony Albanese. It is the first gateway airport master plan to be approved by the Minister. The dMP
outlines Melbourne Airport’s vision for land use of its 2400 hectare site.

LOCAL SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATE AT MELBOURNE AIRPORT

This morning students from schools near Melbourne Airport celebrated as the winners of the 2008 Melbourne Airport Schools Christmas Banner Competition were announced.

MELBOURNE WELCOMES Air Asia X - FIRST LONG HAUL LOW COST AIRLINE

Melbourne Airport welcomes another airline with low-cost international carrier AirAsia X commencing services today with their inaugural flights to and from Melbourne.

NEW SMARTGATE TECHNOLOGY AT MELBOURNE AIRPORT

Melbourne Airport welcomes the new customs processing technology SmartGate – giving eligible Australian and New Zealand travellers arriving into Australia the option to self-process through passport control.

400,000 MORE PASSENGERS DELIVER FIRST QUARTER GROWTH

First quarter of the 2008/09 financial year has seen Melbourne Airport’s domestic and international passengers grow despite the current economic climate.

END OF YEAR WRAP UP FOR AUSTRALIA PACIFIC AIRPORTS CORPORATION

First quarter of the 2008/09 financial year has seen Melbourne Airport’s domestic and international passengers grow despite the current economic climate.

AirAsia X TO FLY DIRECT TO MELBOURNE AIRPORT

Melbourne welcomes another international airline, with the announcement today that AirAsia X will operate scheduled services to Melbourne Airport.

JONATHON AUF DER HEIDE WINS 2008 MELBOURNE AIRPORT EMERGING AUSTRALIAN FILMMAKER AWARD

This year’s Melbourne Airport Emerging Australian Filmmaker Award goes to local
filmmaker Jonathon auf der Heide for his short film Hell’s Gates.

ETIHAD TO ARRIVE AT MELBOURNE AIRPORT

Melbourne welcomes another international airline, with the announcement today that Etihad Airways will operate scheduled services to Melbourne Airport.

2007/2008 passenger results positive for Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport has seen its largest growth in 3 years in both international and domestic passengers during 2007/08. Total passenger numbers increased by just over 1.7 million to 24.3 million, an average of 34,000 additional passengers each week compared to the previous year.

Melbourne Airport opens the world’s most convenient Arrivals store

Melbourne Airport and The Nuance Group today celebrated the opening of their new duty free Arrivals store.
The impressive new store offers the customer a large range of great value liquor, fragrance, confectionery and tobacco along with a full range of cosmetics, excellent deals on a range of consumer electronics and a selection of watches and sunglasses. The store layout tempts shoppers with savings throughout and an innovative area for last minute gift ideas for family and friends.

Melbourne Airport emerging talent wins at Cannes

Up and coming Melbourne filmmaker Julius Avery was presented the Jury Award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for his recent work Jerrycan. This comes less than two years after he was awarded the 2006 Melbourne Airport Emerging Australian Filmmaker award for his earlier project End of Town at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).

Airport Master Plan & Environment Strategy drafts released

The Melbourne Airport Master Plan 2008 and the Melbourne Airport Environment Strategy 2008 shape the future for Melbourne Airport.

The Preliminary Drafts of both documents are now available for all Victorians to view online for comment.

Melbourne Airport welcomes anti-touting laws

Melbourne Airport today welcomed new laws regarding taxi touting, which were announced this morning by Victorian Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky. The new laws include significantly stronger penalties for touting at Melbourne Airport.

Strong third quarter passenger results at Melbourne Airport

The third quarter of the 2007/2008 financial year – which included the busy Easter travel period – has seen continued growth across domestic and international passenger numbers.

'Fear of a Brown Planet' wins Melbourne Airport Best Newcomer Award 2008

Melbourne comedians Nazeem Hussain and Aamer Rahman have taken out the Melbourne Airport Best Newcomer Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for their hit show Fear of A Brown Planet.

Melbourne Airport Master Plan & Environment Strategy now online

The Melbourne Airport Master Plan 2008 and the Melbourne Airport Environment Strategy 2008 are two important documents that shape the future for Melbourne Airport. Preliminary Drafts of each document are now online for public comment.

Melbourne Airport award winners take off at Comedy Festival

As the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival reaches its climax, Victorians and international visitors are now weighing up their options of which of hundreds of shows to check out at this year’s Festival.

Study shows record employment levels at Melbourne Airport

A report into the economic impact of Melbourne Airport has found that the airport is one of Victoria’s fastest growing employment hubs, with more than 12,500 Victorians in full time equivalent airport-generated positions, supported by a growth of more than 22% in the last five years.

Car park upgrade begins at Melbourne Airport

Driven by continued strong domestic passenger growth, work will begin next week on a $60 million expansion of Melbourne Airport’s car parking facilities, which will add an additional 2,300 spaces to the multi-level car park area in front of the Melbourne Airport terminal precinct.

Melbourne Airport completes $700m debt refinancing

Melbourne Airport today announced that it had completed $700 million debt refinancing activities.

Melbourne Airport named in World's Top Five

Melbourne Airport was named in the Top 5 for airports that handle between 15 and 25 million passengers, in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality Survey.

Melbourne Airport award winner wins Best Short Film at Berlin Film Festival

The winner of the Melbourne Airport Emerging Australian Filmmaker Award for 2007, Warwick Thornton, has collected the Crystal Bear of the Kplus Generation (Best Short Film Award) at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.

Positive half year passenger results at Melbourne Airport

The second quarter of the 2007/2008 financial year – which included has seen both international and domestic passenger numbers continue their strong growth.

Construction commences on largest ever international terminal expansion at Melbourne Airport

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese today officially commenced construction on the largest upgrade to Melbourne Airport’s international terminal since it was built in the late 1960s.

Tiger takes off at Melbourne Airport

Tiger Airways Australia’s first flight departed from its home of Melbourne Airport this morning, signaling an exciting new era at Australia’s low-cost air travel hub.

Melbourne Airport Victorian Tourism Awards: Recognising commitment and innovation

Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff today sent his congratulations and best wishes to entrants in tonight’s 2007 Melbourne Airport Victorian Tourism Awards.

Managing Contractor appointed for international terminal expansion

Melbourne Airport has appointed a managing contractor to upgrade and expand T2, its international terminal, in a series of three projects to be completed over the next four years.

Major new office development planned for Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport has today announced plans for a major new office complex.

Solid international growth at Melbourne Airport for first quarter of 2007/2008

The first quarter of the 2007/2008 financial year has seen Melbourne Airport’s international and domestic passenger numbers grow at a promising rate.

Melbourne circus producer Daniel Rabin is 'Off to Edinburgh' thanks to Melbourne Airport

The Melbourne Airport ‘I’m Off To Edinburgh’ Award for Best Newcomer at the 2007 Melbourne Fringe Festival was presented to Melbourne circus producer Daniel Rabin at the Fringe Awards Ceremony on Saturday night. As part of his award, Daniel will be jetting off to the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe.

Tiger Airways' new home opens at Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport today officially handed over Terminal 4 (T4), the new Australian home of Tiger Airways, to the new domestic airline ahead of its first flight on November 23.

Korean Air set to land at Melbourne Airport

Melbourne will welcome its newest international airline, with the announcement that Korean Air will operate scheduled services to Melbourne Airport.

New CEO for Melbourne Airport

The Chairman of Australia Pacific Airports Corporation, Don Mercer, has today welcomed new Melbourne Airport CEO & Managing Director, Chris Woodruff.

Melbourne Airport welcomes Skywest

Melbourne Airport will welcome its sixth domestic airline, Skywest, who has announced that it will commence 3 direct flights per week between Melbourne and Kalgoorlie.

$330m expansions for Melbourne's international terminal

Melbourne Airport is set for the largest upgrade of its international terminal (T2) since the airport was built in the late 1960s.

End of year results for Melbourne Airport operator

Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (APAC), the operator of Melbourne and Launceston Airports, today announced a post-tax profit of $158 million, an increase of 1% on the previous year.

Australian Filmmaker set to fly from Alice to Berlin

The Melbourne Airport Emerging Australian Filmmaker Award for 2007 has been presented to Warwick Thornton, a unique Australian filmmaker with a pedigree as director of photography on some of this country’s best loved and award-winning indigenous films.

Positive international and domestic passenger growth at Melbourne Airport during 2006/2007

Melbourne Airport has seen solid growth during 2006/07 in both international and domestic passengers. Overall passenger numbers increased by over 1 million to 22.4 million for the financial year, an additional 20,000 passengers each week compared to the previous year.

Cathay Pacific goes triple daily from Melbourne

Cathay Pacific’s decision to increase its Melbourne-Hong Kong services from double daily to triple daily in October is excellent news for Victorian travelers and the State’s tourism industry.

Commercial development given green light by Minister

A major commercial development at Melbourne Airport was today given the green light by the Federal Minister for Transport & Regional Services, the Hon. Mark Vaile.

Report finds need for fourth major hotel at Melbourne Airport

A new report has found that Melbourne Airport has a clear demand for a fourth major hotel on site, reflecting the staggering physical growth the airport has undergone over the past ten years.

John Holland Aviation Services welcomed to Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport has welcomed John Holland Aviation Services (JHAS) to the airport precinct, with the John Holland Group today opening a fully-independent aviation maintenance operation on site.

Aeronautical Services Agreement confirmed with airlines

Melbourne Airport today announced that it had reached a five-year pricing agreement with its international airlines, together with domestic carriers including Qantas, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways. This will enable Melbourne Airport to meet the airlines' needs over the next five years.

Airport forecourt set for review

The operational layout of Melbourne Airport’s forecourt – the area in front of the terminals – is set to be reviewed over the coming months.

Melbourne Airport sponsorship program helps Emerging Artists take off

Don Mercer, Chairman of APAC, the operator of Melbourne Airport, has today launched the airport’s major community and cultural initiative, the Melbourne Airport Emerging Talent Program.

The Melbourne Airport Emerging Talent Program is designed to nurture creative artists at some of this city’s most prestigious cultural events and institutions.

Melbourne Airport welcomes new State Government Planning Controls

Melbourne Airport has welcomed the introduction of the Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay today.

Melbourne Airport welcomes new State Planning Controls

Melbourne Airport has welcomed the announcement from the Victorian Government that from today, the 1992 Airport Environs overlay will be replaced by a new Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay, providing better protection from aircraft noise for residents living in and around Melbourne Airport.

New managing director

Chris Barlow has confirmed he will retire as Managing Director and CEO of APAC in August 2007. He will be replaced by Chris Woodruff, formerly of BAA plc.

Tiger chooses Melbourne Airport

Tiger Airways has selected Melbourne Airport as the base for its Australian operations.

Tiger Airways’ decision is a major coup for Melbourne and Victoria, with Melbourne selected after detailed discussions between Tiger Airways and the airports and governments of a number of Australian states and territories.

Airport welcomes Productivity Commission response

Melbourne Airport has welcomed the Federal Government's response to the Productivity Commission's Review of Price Regulation of Airport Services.

Josh Thomas named youngest Melbourne Airport Comedy Best Newcomer

19-year-old comedian Josh Thomas has been awarded the 2007 Melbourne Airport Best Newcomer Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Improved international passenger growth in 3rd quarter 2006/2007

The third quarter of financial year 2006/2007 has seen strong domestic growth continue, whilst international growth has seen a positive increase on the previous year.

Overall passenger numbers were up 7% for the third quarter of 2006/2007 compared to the same period last year.

New security arrangements for international flights at Melboune Airport

Residents from Victoria who are flying overseas should sort through the liquids, aerosols and gels in their carry-on baggage in accordance with new government restrictions before they leave home for Melbourne Airport.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, made the call today at Melbourne Airport.

New security arrangements for international flights at Melbourne Airport

From 31 March 2007, residents from Victoria who are flying overseas should sort through the liquids, aerosols and gels in their carry-on baggage in accordance with new government restrictions before they leave home for Melbourne Airport.

Increased airline capacity to UAE will drive passenger and tourism growth

Today’s announcement of a new air service agreement with the United Arab Emirates is welcome news for tourism and aviation.

Melbourne Airport welcomes Qatar decision

Melbourne Airport has welcomed today’s announcement by Federal Transport Minister Mark Vaile of successful air service agreement with Qatar.

The agreement provides Qatar Airways with the opportunity to commence planned daily services between Melbourne and Doha, and signals the completion of over eighteen months of negotiations.

Tulla-Calder Freeway Interchange opening a major boost for Victorian travellers

Melbourne Airport has welcomed the opening of the outbound lanes of the improved Tullamarine-Calder Freeway Interchange, an area that is the critical link between the airport and Melbourne’s CBD.

Tulla-Calder Freeway Interchange opening a major boost for Victorian travellers

Melbourne Airport has welcomed the opening of the outbound lanes of the improved Tullamarine-Calder Freeway Interchange, an area that is the critical link between the airport and Melbourne’s CBD.

Strong domestic passenger growth in 2nd quarter 2006/2007

The second quarter of 2006/2007 has seen strong domestic and steady international passenger growth at Melbourne Airport.

Overall passenger numbers were up 6% for the second quarter of 2006/2007, compared to the same period last year.

APAC Chief Executive Officer

Statement regarding CEO appointment.

Melbourne Airport welcomes new air service capacity from the United Arab Emirates

Melbourne Airport has welcomed today’s announcement by the Federal Government of an agreement to increase current available airline capacity between the UAE and Australia from 4 flights per week to 7.

Virgin Blue and Holiday Inn win Airport Environment Awards

Virgin Blue and Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport were today announced as the recipients of the 2006 Melbourne Airport Environment Awards.

The Melbourne Airport Environment Awards encourage airport businesses to develop long-term solutions for the unique environmental challenges that exist at a major international airport.

New security measures for carry on luggage

Melbourne Airport welcomed new aviation security measures announced today by the Federal Government. New regulations, effective from 31 March 2007, will restrict the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) that passengers can carry on international flights to and from Australia.

Airport celebrates 5 years as premier sponsor of Victorian Tourism Awards

Melbourne Airport today celebrated five years as the premier sponsor of the Victorian Tourism Awards, wishing ‘best of luck’ to the tourism businesses from across Victoria who were in the running for the 2006 awards.

New security restrictions at European Airports

New security restrictions on hand luggage in place at European Union (EU) airports have the potential to impact on some passengers traveling from Australia to Europe.

Lord Mayor John So opens expanded international arrivals hall

Melbourne Lord Mayor Cr John So today opened a major expansion of Melbourne Airport’s international arrivals hall, a key part of the airport’s half-billion dollar expansion program.

Slow passenger growth for first quarter of 2006/2007

Overall passenger numbers were up 3 per cent, compared to the same period last year.

Business as usual for Melbourne Airport operator following BAA sale announcement

Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (APAC), the operator of Melbourne and Launceston Airports, today declared ‘business as usual’ following the decision by 20% owner BAA to sell off its overseas airport assets, including those in Australia.

Melbourne Airport CEO named 'Australian Aviation Personality of the Year'

Melbourne Airport CEO and Launceston Airport Chairman Chris Barlow was last night named ‘Australian Aviation Personality of the Year’ at the 2006 Australian Airports Association (AAA) Awards.

$10million Long Term Car Park enhancments go live

A major upgrade of Melbourne Airport’s Long Term Car Park was opened this week, signalling a new era for Victorian travellers.

Travel + Leisure names airport as top tourism innovator

Melbourne Airport has been honoured by Travel + Leisure Australia magazine as one of Australia’s top 20 tourism innovators in its inaugural tourism innovator awards.

Melbourne Airport welcomes new Jetstar Melbourne-Hawaii services

Melbourne Airport today welcomed the announcement by Melbourne-based Jetstar Airways confirming their plans for twice-weekly services from Melbourne direct to Honolulu

End of year results for airport operator

Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (APAC), operator of Melbourne and Launceston Airports, today announced a post-tax profit of $87 million, an increase of 10% on the previous year.

$10m enhancements set for Long Term Car Park

Melbourne Airport today announced a significant development program to enhance its long term car parking facilities. The $10 million enhancement program will provide an all new courtesy shuttle bus fleet, 900 new car parking spaces, as well as a range of other facilities such as air conditioned bus shelters, and GPS-enabled car park user display systems.

Continued passenger growth at Melbourne Airport

Passenger numbers at Melbourne Airport have continued to grow in 2005/06, albeit at a slower rate than in the past several years.

Overall passengers increased by over 650,000 to 21.4 million, which is the equivalent of more than 12,500 extra passengers every week at Melbourne Airport in 2005/06 compared to the previous year.

New studies find Melbourne one of the lowest charging airports in the world

Two new studies released today have found Melbourne Airport is one of the lowest charging and best performing international airports in the world.

Melbourne Airport welcomes deal on Australia-UK air services

Melbourne Airport has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement today of increased liberalisation of airline services between Australia and the United Kingdom.

Runway widening project wins major Aust. construction award

Melbourne Airport’s runway widening project was declared Australia’s most outstanding example of construction excellence for 2006, winning the Australian Construction Achievement Award at a gala dinner held in Sydney on Friday. It is the first time this award has been won by a Victorian project.

More spending for tourism promotion is great, but where the bloody hell are the airline seats?

Melbourne Airport today welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of additional funding for Tourism as part of the State Budget.

Steady growth in first three quarters of 2005/2006

The first three quarters of 2005/2006 have resulted in growth for both international and domestic passenger traffic, on top of last year’s record results.

Jetstar International to expand at Melbourne

Options for low-price international travelers at Melbourne Airport look set to increase with the announcement today that Jetstar International will start services in 3 markets from Melbourne.

T3 security incident

At approximately 0530 this morning security staff operating in Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 3 (T3) identified what appeared to be a pocket knife within the hand luggage of an outbound passenger.

Melbourne Airport welcomes review

Melbourne Airport welcomed the Government’s announcement today of a review by the Productivity Commission into current arrangements for the price regulation of airports.

International Terminal expansion opens at Melbourne Airport

Victorian Treasurer John Brumby today officially opened Melbourne Airport’s new 5,000m2 international terminal expansion.

Melbourne Airport response to 'Golden Tulip Melbourne Airport'

Steady growth in first half of 2005/2006

The first half of 2005/2006 has seen steady international and domestic passenger growth on top of last year’s record results.

Public viewing arrangements for A380 visit to Melbourne Airport

Melbourne will get its first glimpse of the new Airbus A380 aircraft this Monday 14 November when the double-decker jumbo flies to Australia for testing and to take part in Qantas’ 85th anniversary celebrations.