The Australia federal government has granted approval for Melbourne Airport’s huge expansion vision which is set to see the development of a third runway. The long-awaited approval is sure to be a major breakthrough not only for the airport but for Melbourne severing the millions of passengers with the new capacity and enhanced air travel prospects. The expansion project, which is anticipated to cost about $3 billion will include a new north-south runway which will be 3,000 meters long. This improvement is predicted to greatly expand the airport’s throughput, leading to a great increase in both domestic and international flights.
Melbourne Airport’s chief executive Lorie Argus has welcomed the approval saying it will go a long way in helping address the demand for aviation in Victoria. In the capacity of Argus, Decision makers are hopeful that this expansion will not only increase our capability to accommodate more flights but will also be a step in regard to the passenger satisfaction and would play a big role in the states economy.
It is presidential and following the evaluations of the impacts of the third runway on the social and natural environment with recommended solutions including its approval took various years of scenario establishment, assessment, and consultations on the social shares by the communities. The approval from the federal government is largely premised on environmental and noise impacts placed by the airport authorities, citizens living in the affected areas and environmental organisations.
Through the expansion plan, Melbourne airport has agreed to the following; implementation of sound insulation programs for the affected properties and will not conduct overnight activities in relation to the new runway. The airport will also spend on technologies that cut emissions and improve the efficiency of fuel usage. The government of Victoria has also recently applauded the federal development by approving the expansion where Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan acknowledged the opportunity the expansion will bring to the economy of the state. Speaking on the project, Allan said that this project will generate thousand of employment opportunities during construction as well as during the operation of the project, it added that Melbourne will be affirmed as a gateway city for the international visitors and traders.
The third runway is proposed to be constructed early next year, 2025 and is expected to be complete by 2031. Apart from the construction of new runway other part of the expansion project involves upgrading of the existing terminals, improvement on the ground transport and improvement of the cargo facilities. According to aviation specialists, the additional capacity of the third runway will contribute to the solution of the problem of the overcrowding during the rush hours and ensuing delays. It is also hoped that the upgrade will encourage more international airlines to make Melbourne their destination thus increasing competition on the routes.
The green light for Melbourne Airport to proceed with the plans could not have come at a better time, given that civil aviation is gradually recovering from the disaster it experienced as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. The boosted capacity will prove to be vital in meeting the future growth head on, especially given the world travel demand is now back to pre-COVID-19 levels and domestic tourism exploding now. In light of the increasing city status of Melbourne, the airport expansion plan is viewed as a crucial infrastructure development that will contribute greatly towards the growth of the region’s economy, interconnectivity with the rest of the world maybe inhibited.
However, it comes as a boxed formality, where the airport and other regulating authorities shall put more effort in the last planning and successful implementation phases. This will include meetings with various stakeholders to decide on the final form of constructions; final stages of the architectural and engineering design alongside addressing all the environmental issues and regulatory issues which may come up during construction. With Melbourne expecting this infrastructure soon, passengers as well as commuters can expect the following improvements in the following years, more flight connectivity, less flight delays and better facilities at Melbourne airport which is among the busiest in Australia.
