Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport
Name	Melbourne Airport
IATA	MEL
ICAO	YMML
Owner	Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited
City-served	Melbourne
Location	Tullamarine
Opened	1 July 1970
Hub	Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Rex Airlines
Elevation-m	132
Coordinates	37, 40, 24, S...
Website	melbourneairport.com.au

Melbourne Airport is the primary international and domestic aviation gateway serving the city of Melbourne and the state of Victoria. Located in the suburb of Tullamarine, approximately 23 kilometres northwest of the Melbourne city centre, it is the second-busiest airport in Australia by passenger traffic. The airport operates as a major hub for Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Rex Airlines, facilitating connections across the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

History

The airport's development was driven by the need to replace the overcrowded Essendon Airport, which had served as Melbourne's primary international gateway. The Government of Victoria selected the Tullamarine site in 1959, with construction beginning in the mid-1960s under the supervision of the Department of Civil Aviation. Officially opened by Prime Minister John Gorton on 1 July 1970, the airport featured a revolutionary design with satellite terminals. Significant expansions followed, including the construction of a second runway in the 1980s and the major international terminal redevelopment completed for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The airport was privatized in 1997, with its current leaseholder being Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited.

Facilities and terminals

The airport features four main passenger terminals aligned in a linear configuration. Terminal 1 is the domestic base for Qantas and QantasLink, while Terminal 2 serves as the international terminal, housing carriers like Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and United Airlines. Terminal 3 is used by Virgin Australia and its regional partners, and Terminal 4 is the dedicated low-cost carrier terminal for Jetstar Airways and Tigerair Australia. Key facilities include the Hilton Melbourne Airport hotel, extensive retail and dining precincts, and the Qantas Club and Virgin Australia Lounge network. The airport's two primary runways, 16/34 and 09/27, support its high-volume operations.

Airlines and destinations

Melbourne Airport connects to a vast network of domestic and international destinations. Major domestic carriers include Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways, and Rex Airlines, providing frequent services to cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. International services are extensive, with direct flights operated by Singapore Airlines to Changi Airport, Qatar Airways to Hamad International Airport, and American Airlines to Los Angeles. Other significant international operators include Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, China Southern Airlines, and Etihad Airways, linking Melbourne to key hubs across Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Ground transport

Multiple transport options connect the airport to Melbourne city centre and surrounding regions. The SkyBus Super Shuttle provides a high-frequency express coach service to Southern Cross railway station. Major arterial roads include the Tullamarine Freeway and M80 Ring Road, which provide direct links to the Melbourne CBD and the wider Metropolitan Melbourne freeway network. Taxi and rideshare services operate from designated ranks, and several major car rental companies, including Hertz and Avis, have facilities on-site. A proposed Melbourne Airport Rail Link, connecting the airport to the metropolitan rail network via Sunshine railway station, is a major future infrastructure project.

Operations and statistics

The airport is a critical component of the national aviation infrastructure and a major economic driver for Victoria. In the 2022-23 financial year, it handled over 28 million passengers, making it the second-busiest in Australia behind Sydney Airport. It consistently ranks among the world's best airports for service quality, as recognized by Skytrax. Cargo operations are significant, with major freight carriers like Australian airExpress and Toll Group utilizing dedicated facilities. The airport is also a key maintenance base for Qantas and supports a large general aviation precinct.

Future developments

A major third runway is planned to increase capacity and reduce delays, with construction anticipated to begin in the late 2020s. The aforementioned Melbourne Airport Rail Link project, a partnership between the Government of Victoria and the Government of Australia, aims to provide a direct rail connection by 2029. Terminal expansions are also planned, including upgrades to Terminal 2 to accommodate new-generation aircraft like the Airbus A350 and increased passenger processing capacity. These developments are designed to support projected growth in both passenger numbers and air cargo demand through the 21st century.

Category:Airports in Australia Category:Buildings and structures in Melbourne Category:Transport in Melbourne