Sydney Airport has completed the expansion and upgrade of the departures level of the International Terminal.
Australia’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, marked the achievement at a plaque unveiling ceremony in the International Terminal. The ceremony was attended by 150 aviation industry representatives including the Chairman of Sydney Airport, Max Moore-Wilton and Sydney Airport’s CEO, Russell Balding.
Mr Balding said that the upgrade of the International Terminal provides a better travel experience for the growing number of international travellers using Sydney Airport.
This redevelopment celebrates the joy of travel and expresses the quality of public spaces. The diversity of activities within the Forum creates a dynamically integrated space. The overall project included:
- Upgrading and provision for more streamlined check-in facilities.
- A single focussed landside food-court and retailing environment.
- A single point of outbound immigration and security control.
- Provision of premium check and processing facilities.
- A single focussed airside retailing environment featuring a naturally conditioned market style “Forum” for the passengers to dwell in.
- Increased airline lounge facilities, all designed in line with the parallel programs allowing A380 aircraft provisions.
The Forum at Sydney Airport Terminal One defines the travel experience as a civic place of dwelling, where travellers can pause and reflect on their journey. The creation of this space went beyond the design brief requirements, evolving it into the heart of the terminal and producing a signature place of international quality which captures and embodies the light and spaciousness of Sydney. This the key message we wanted to translated to the traveller leaving Sydney.
Background – Key Facts About Sydney Airport’s International Terminal
- The number of international passengers travelling through Sydney Airport is growing. In 2003 there were 8.3 million passengers; in 2009 there were 10.6 million – an increase of 28 per cent in just six years. The forecast is for this growth to continue and to reach 20 million by 2020 and about 30 million by 2029.
- The International Terminal is a key infrastructure asset for Sydney and handles about 45% of all of Australia’s international passengers.
- The International Terminal is used by 37 international airlines flying to 46 destinations around the world.
- The International Terminal was constructed in the 1960s and originally opened by Queen Elizabeth II in May 1970.
- The airport handles 60 A380 movements each week making it one of the busiest A380 airports in the world.
- There are more than 100 retail outlets in the International Terminal.
- Normal operations were maintained while construction was underway.
- There were 250 construction workers on site daily – working both day and night shifts.
- The lead contractor was Bovis Lend Lease and construction involved:
- Installing 108 concrete piles - each over 45 metres deep
- 10,000 square metres of concrete used in the new departures slab
- 1,000 tons of structural steel
- 110 large pre-cast concrete panels
- 10,500 square metres of roofing
- More than 100 tonnes of glass have been installed in the skylight panels over the new Forum area.
- Environmental initiatives in the International Terminal include the use of recycled water for toilet flushing and in cooling towers and energy efficient air-conditioning in the Forum.
