Canberra Airport Unveils New Virgin Australia Terminal This Week

14th Mar 2013

The national capital's primary gateway, Canberra Airport, is about to unveil today the second wing of its newly-renovated terminal.

The opening will usher in the fresh look of the terminal which underwent extensive renovation with the addition of the second wing. The opening rites will be held at the new Virgin Australia lounge at 9:30 A.M.

The new western concourse is part of the major upgrade of the terminal dubbed 'AirVolution.' Virgin Australia as well as regional airlines will move their operations to the new terminal. The southern concourse of the terminal was inaugurated in 2010 and has been assigned to Qantas for its exclusive use.

The new western concourse will also house customs, immigration as well as quarantine offices in preparation for the introduction of international flights into the airport. Canberra Airport currently serves domestic flights only.

Moreover, the new facility will have five more aerobridges which are all air-conditioned and built of glass from floor to ceiling. Aside from doubling the size of the screening area for passengers, it will also feature 12 check-in counters, in anticipation for future demand, especially when the airport receives international flights.

A towering three-story glass atrium will connect the southern and western concourses of the terminal affording passengers to a panoramic view of the landscaped gardens across the building as well as the airport's runway.

The airport officials boast about the terminal's unique design which makes it look like no other airports in Australia. As soon as the passengers enter the terminal, all they can see are the waiting planes instead of check-in counters commonly found in most airports.

The major expansion project of the Canberra Airport also include the building of multi-level car parks, indoor taxi stand, two-level dual-lane roadway and rehabilitated runways and aprons which make them capable of handling bigger aircraft such as the behemoth A380.