Perth Airport will invest $8 million in facilities to allow for the continued growth of the regional and resources-based aviation sector.
Perth Airport will invest $8 million in facilities to allow for the continued growth of the regional and resources-based aviation sector.
Distinct from domestic services, this sector is made up of smaller aircraft used for regional charter services as well as fly-in/fly-out operations taking workers to mines across Western Australia.
Chief Financial Officer, Mr Wayne Tichehurst, said the airport's $8 million infrastructure investment would help meet growing demand spurred by the State's strong economic performance, particularly within the mining industry.
"The regional and resource-based aviation sector represents a third of all traffic that comes through Perth Airport, and has been growing at an average rate of 60% during the calendar year," he said.
"This project will give the numerous airlines and support functions that operate regional and fly-in/fly out services from Perth Airport more room to expand, and strengthen our ability to deliver safe, secure facilities."
With work due to begin in early December, the upgrade will deliver:
- a dedicated taxi lane to the general aviation apron for 'code C' aircraft (that is aircraft with a wing span up to 36 metres which includes Boeing 737)
- three remote aircraft parking bays and the design allows for development of future required remote parking bays
- a second "code C" taxi-lane which allows for additional hangar facilities to be built as required by aviation partners
Interest has already been expressed by a number of aviation partners who are in final negotiations with Perth Airport for the construction of hangers on the initial sites.
The project has been awarded to local construction company Densford Pty Ltd, and is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2007.
"The works have been phased accordingly to minimise disruption to the aviation industry."
"This investment is part of a record $85 million in capital expenditure for 2006-07, which Perth Airport has committed to improve its aviation facilities and surrounding estate," added Mr Ticehurst.
The airport also recently approved a further 1,800 car parks across each of its international, domestic and regional terminals, which comes further to the 1,400 car parks created in the past year.