Cairns Airport has announced a A$55m (US$41m) transformation to future-proof its domestic terminal, accommodating increasing passenger traffic.
Expanding to 10,000m², the departures hall will have additional seating and easier navigation of the terminal for passengers. There will also be an additional 2,000m² added for dining and retail options and the creation of more than 300 jobs during the construction phase and another 150 permanent jobs on completion.
Norris Carter, CEO at Cairns Airport, Queensland, Australia, said, “In the last year we’ve announced new international flights and an upgrade of the food and beverage options in the international terminal. Now it’s the domestic terminal’s turn.
“With this redevelopment we are aiming to take customer experience to new heights from touchdown to take-off. We want our customers to arrive excited and depart delighted.”
Around 75% of international travelers to Tropical North Queensland currently arrive and depart on a domestic flight. Over the next 10 years, traffic through the domestic terminal is expected to grow by 40% to around six million passengers a year.
Kate McCreery-Carr, chief operations officer at the airport, added, “The improved layout will make a significant difference at peak times when we see high-volume passenger flow. Boarding queues will be reduced and this will promote a more relaxed environment for passengers.”