Darwin International Airport in Australia took home an Airport Innovation and Excellence Award last night (October 14) at the Australian Airports Association’s (AAA) National Airport Industry Awards.
Presented by the AAA, which represents more than 260 airports and aerodromes across the country, the awards recognize excellence within Australia’s airport industry.
Darwin Airport in the Northern Territory won the ‘commercial’ category for its expanded terminal, which added more than 172,000ft² of space and was opened by former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott earlier this year.
Ian Kew, CEO for NT Airports, the airport operator, said, “Our terminal expansion is one of the biggest projects we’ve ever taken on, and it’s providing great things for our passengers with more space, greater efficiency and a better retail choice when it comes to shopping and eating. We have delivered the infrastructure our partners need to grow their businesses in the top end, and they in turn have made long-term commitments to the region with investments in new facilities.
“It’s wonderful to have my team’s hard work and relationship building skills acknowledged in this way. These awards demonstrate the value of working with stakeholders, and devoting energy to forward thinking projects that have benefits for our airport and our community.”
The judging panel praised the airport’s achievements, identifying the contemporary approaches to contract and construction management as the stand out features of the project. It also made special mention of how the airport overcame the engineering challenges involved in expanding the long, narrow terminal while maintaining normal 24/7 airport operations.