Brisbane International Airport is the third-biggest airport in Australia in terms of passenger traffic. The airport handled 20 million passengers in the financial year ending June 2023.
Operated by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), the airport is undergoing one of the biggest developments in its history under the A$5bn ($3.16bn) Future BNE investment programme.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The Future BNE programme includes improvements throughout the airport complex planned over the next ten years to enhance the airport experience and to serve a projected ten million more passengers.
The renovation of the domestic terminal precinct is the first project under Future BNE. The terminal is one of Australia’s busiest domestic terminals serving 61 destinations, with half being in Queensland. It handled 16 million passengers in 2023.
Construction on the project commenced in October 2023 and is anticipated to be completed by 2025.
Future BNE programme details
The Future BNE programme aims to create new facilities and improve services at the Brisbane Airport. It includes security, screening and retail upgrades to the airport’s existing domestic and international terminals, apart from the development of a new passenger Terminal 3.
In addition, a new aeromedical facility will be built at the airport to centralise emergency services and medical repatriation, and the aircraft parking, aprons and runway will be upgraded.
Brisbane International Airport domestic terminal upgrade details
The domestic terminal upgrade at Brisbane International Airport will include modifications to the terminal’s security areas, amenities, parking facilities and retail areas.
The project will include the replacement of the terminal’s security screening equipment under the Australian Government’s Strengthening Aviation Security Initiative with the introduction of new computed tomography (CT) technology.
The new technology will improve and streamline security screening enabling passengers to leave items such as laptops and aerosols in their hand luggage. It will also ensure a uniform passenger experience across major airports in the country.
New non-invasive body scanning equipment will also be installed to cover a wider range of items, making the process less intrusive and faster.
A new mezzanine level with a direct entrance will be constructed above the existing central terminal area to create a new central security screening point and accommodate the new screening equipment. It will require the removal of the existing escalators to make space for the new entrance, which will provide direct access for checked-in passengers with carry-on luggage from the skywalk to the security screening area.
The self-check-in areas will be upgraded with check-in kiosks and automated bag drop facilities, which will allow passengers on all domestic airlines to check in more quickly.
Baggage handling system details at Brisbane International Airport
A new, state-of-the-art baggage handling system will be installed next to the central satellite walkway at the airport, as part of the upgrade.
The new system will centralise baggage operations across the terminal and replace three separate baggage handling systems installed in the 1980s.
It will be equipped with state-of-the-art bag-tag readers and enable eco-friendly operation by automatically shutting down segments of the system when no bags are present to process.
Facilities and amenities details at Brisbane Airport
The domestic terminal at Brisbane Airport will feature upgraded bathrooms with enhanced capacity, new fixtures and finishes, and parent rooms. The sustainable design of bathrooms and parent rooms will contribute to reduced water usage.
In addition, the terminal will feature new cafe-style social seating at the departure gates. The cafe layout will be flexible to accommodate wheelchair access and feature furnishings made from sustainably grown wood. The entire carpet will be manufactured using recycled materials, and tabletops will be made entirely of recycled glass.
The P2 car park at the terminal will be extended to accommodate 1,700 extra spots for cars and provide sheltered storage for bikes and scooters.
In addition, bus lounges in remote parking bays are planned to be constructed to offer convenient bus transportation to and from aircraft. The lounges will be designed to increase passenger comfort and capacity to accommodate more passengers during peak travel times.
The Virgin Australia end of the terminal will have additional food and dining options including a new bar. It will include the largest-ever 360° restaurant built at the airport offering passengers ten new food and beverage options. The dining upgrades form part of the final stage of the domestic terminal redevelopment, which began in 2018.
Contractors involved
Rapiscan® Systems, a security screening company, was awarded the contract to update the security system at Brisbane Airport’s domestic terminal.
Brock Solutions, an engineering solutions and professional services company; and Alstef, a turnkey solutions provider for the airport, intralogistics, and parcel handling markets, will construct the new baggage handling system.
