Brisbane Airport - 10/04/06 - Australia’s best... -
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Published on: 10/4/2006
Last Visited: 5/20/2009
With more than 30 years global experience in the airport terminal development, including major project with Ansett, Australian Airlines and Qantas, John Richards joins Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) as Director of the International Terminal Expansion Project (ITBX).
Mr Richards said the terminal expansion was critical to ensure BAC could continue to accommodate the region's extraordinary growth.
He said more international passengers were traveling through Brisbane than ever before, highlighting aviation as a key driver in Queensland's long-term economic sustainability.
"Forty-seven percent of the traveling public visiting Australia is coming to Queensland, which is why it is essential our State's gateway airport has the capacity to handle the rapidly increasing number of passengers and airlines using the terminal, while accommodating the needs of both," he said.
Mr Richards, who was also the Deputy Chairman of the Airbus A380 airline/airport compatibility group, said the new generation aircraft such as the A380 presented unique challenges and opportunities for the industry.
"While these aircraft are becoming significantly quieter, more fuel efficient and comfortable, they are also presenting unique challenges to airports around the world in terms of runway and terminal design.
We have an opportunity in Brisbane to develop a new generation Terminal that reflects this new paradigm."
Mr Richards said BAC's International Terminal expansion, set to begin in April, will incorporate two new A380 gates with dual aerobridges, ensuring it is one of only 60 airports worldwide to accommodate the new generation of aircraft.
"We plan to use these modern aviation facilities, along with a range of new technologies throughout the project, to create a user-friendly, state-of-the-art design that reflects the changing expectations of passengers in a contemporary airport experience," he said.
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Mr Richards sees the major challenge to the project as delivering the terminal on time, in budget while continuing to operate a 24 hour curfew-free airport.