A new expansion at Perth Airport is set to have significant benefits for both domestic and international Qantas flight passengers.
Construction work to create a new passenger hub and international wing at the airport has been given the green light, with the aim to provide Qantas customers with smoother flight connections and a range of improved facilities.
Set to be located within the existing Terminal 3 and 4 site, the new hub will include a more streamlined immigrations and customs area, a new duty-free outlet and extra food and drink sellers. There will also be an outdoor deck complete with a barbecue and specially-designed menu from top Australian chef Neil Perry for alfresco dining, allowing passengers to enjoy a meal while watching the planes take off and land.
Work on the new wing is set to be finished by March 2018, by which time Qantas intends to use it as the main base for all of its domestic flights within Australia, as well as those travelling to Auckland, Singapore and its newest non-stop destination, London, for which the inaugural flight is planned for the completion month.
Passengers travelling to the UK capital will also get to enjoy the new International Transit Lounge that is being built in the hub, which will feature wellness facilities as well as showers and spaces to relax, allowing people to refresh ahead of their long-haul flights. As Melbourne to London flights come via Perth, these passengers are expected to make up many of the lounge's users.
Alan Joyce, chief executive officer of the Qantas Group, explained: "Perth will become the western hub for our international services to the United Kingdom and potentially other European destinations in the future.
"Combining all of our operations under one roof means customers can transfer from domestic to international services without changing terminals. The new design allows for an outdoor space and natural sunlight, which is something we know our customers will value ahead of a long-haul flight."
