Adelaide Airport Speeds up Terminal Upgrade
Adelaide Airport is speeding up the next phase of its previously announced AUD600 million (USD391.5 million) aeronautical infrastructure upgrade program, which will deliver the capacity to accommodate Adelaide’s 2050 aviation network vision.
To date, improvements have been behind the scenes. However, the next phases of construction will be more visible to passengers as the expansion of the check-in area begins along with extra gates and aero bridges at either end of the terminal.
Upcoming infrastructure upgrades include:
- Expansion of the southern end of the check-in hall by over 1,500 square metres, (roughly the size of five tennis courts) to increase check-in capacity by 25%, including replacement of all existing check-in equipment with the latest technology.
- Demolition of the southern ramp to the elevated road to enable the expansion of the check-in hall has begun, and the airport has moved valet and chauffeured vehicle operations.
Expansion of the northern end of the terminal by some 10,000 square metres beginning by the start of 2026, including new domestic gate lounges, aero bridges, office accommodation to house aviation-related tenants.
- Expansion of the southern end of the terminal by over 5,500 square metres, starting by early 2027, including two new domestic and three new regional gates.
- Expansion of the number of aircraft parking positions by up to nine positions adjacent to the southern and northern ends of the terminal. This will happen progressively over the next three years.
- Upgrades to passenger and checked baggage screening, including the roll-out of body scanners and 3D x-ray bag scanners, will be completed by the end of the year. Six new lanes are now open for a consistent modern experience, while security pass-back works are ongoing.
Adelaide Airport will also complete its security screening technology for checked baggage within the terminal’s main baggage handling system by the end of the year.
Other improvements within the terminal include a new international departures gate and better facilities for families, including a new play space, sensory room for people with hidden disabilities, and gate seating upgrades across the entire terminal, including business hubs, new lounge seating and other fixtures.
Construction works on the check-in expansion has commenced, starting with the demolition of the old southern ramp. The northern-end terminal expansion is scheduled to start in early 2026, while southern-end works are planned for early 2027.
“Our passenger numbers are at record levels, and we are planning for that airline connectivity to continue to grow,”” said Adelaide Airport MD Brenton Cox. “We are also continuing to deliver the infrastructure required to accommodate that growth.”
“This project requires significant construction works in our check-in hall and at either end of the terminal,” he added. “Towards the end of the year, some temporary check-in facilities may be required to be built to enable construction.”
“Additional gates and aero bridges at the southern and northern ends of the terminal will particularly benefit domestic and regional flyers, accommodating peak demand and offering wonderful new facilities in our gate lounges and adjacent areas,” continued Cox.
Cox added the airport is also investigating options for an upgrade of the pickup and drop-off zone and additional car parking.
The managing contractor of the terminal upgrade is BESIX Watpac, with the design works undertaken by Baukultur | Populous. BESIX Watpac is also the managing contractor of the security screen upgrades, with Baukultur, Smiths Detection, Rapiscan, and Alstef having roles in this work.
Aurecon is the lead design consultant for the apron expansion projects and Downer Transport & Infrastructure is the head contractor.
Photos: Adelaide Airport.