Australian Infrastructure Fund is (AIX) planning a $60 million expansion of Darwin International Airport following strong growth over a number of years.
The redevelopment, which is designed to cater for forecast passenger growth to 2015, includes a 65% increase in terminal floor space with an improved retail precinct, two new aircraft parking bays, and additional car parking facilities.
Airport CEO Ian Kew said “This is the first major capital investment in the passenger terminal since it opened in 1991. In the past 10 years, the Airport Development Group has spent over $100 million on capital investment on the airport, the vast majority of it on aviation related projects. We have modernised the exterior, refurbished the terminal, improved traffic flow, provided covered walkways and refurbished lounges, however there has been no change to the size and layout of the terminal, leading to sub standard service.”
The expansion project will provide an extra 11,000sqm of floor space and a new goods delivery area.
Australian Infrastructure Fund owns 28.2% of Northern Territory Airports, the holding company for Darwin, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek airports.