Brisbane Airport will make Domestic Terminal long-term parking easier with 1,700 extra spaces, extending the current P2 carpark, while Melbourne Tullamarine Airport will close up to 2,000 parking spots to make way for the Naarm Way Stage 2 freeway connection.
The $90 million BNE project will commence construction soon and is due for completion by mid-2025.
The works include the closure of the current 30-minute Domestic Terminal waiting area, which will be replaced by 30 minutes’ free parking in Domestic ParkShort from 11 March 2024, which is also closer to the D terminal.
The temporary move will unlock 30 minutes’ free car parking for the 400,000-plus travellers who use ParkShort each year.
Part of the $5 billion-plus Future BNE transformation, which encompasses more than 150 projects, the carpark expansion will address capacity challenges, especially during peak holiday seasons, for ParkLong users.
Brisbane Airport Executive General Manager Commercial Martin Ryan said: “Since COVID, we have seen an increased share of people wanting to drive to the airport. We continue to see the demand for parking grow as Brisbane’s population expands and we’re investing now to cater for current and future passenger needs.”
MEL closes car parking spots ahead of peak holiday periods
Meanwhile, at Melbourne Airport, passengers will lose access to up to 2,000 car parking spots in the Value Car Park and T123 parking facility ahead of the busy peak travel periods of the Labour Day long weekend and Easter holidays.
The closure is due to the Naarm Way Stage 2 project, which begins in March 2024 and is set to open in 2026. Stage 2 will connect a new road from Naarm Way to all terminals plus a new pedestrian footbridge and cars will take exit ramps from the T123 Car Park to join the Tullamarine Freeway.
The $70 million first stage, linking the Tullamarine Freeway to the Terminal 4 carpark and transport hub, opened in mid-2023.
When completed, Naarm Way will provide a direct connection from the Tullamarine Freeway to new dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones in the T123 car park.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Ground Transport, Property & Retail Jai McDermott said while there will be temporary inconveniences during construction, the project will provide a better passenger experience.
“This project will take an estimated 70,000 cars off Terminal Drive each day and provide a more resilient road network designed to reduce stress for passengers either departing or arriving,” he said.
“It does mean we have to remove parking spaces to make way for this upgrade, so we encourage everyone to book parking online to secure the best rate, especially during peak times like the upcoming long weekend and Easter holidays.”
