Karryon’s MARK HARADA takes a look at Canberra Airport’s recently resumed international operation as it hops on board the first overseas flight ex-CBR since 2020.
Like the city it serves – a planned capital – Canberra Airport seems to work well. Its layout is simple, it’s efficient, and a lot of thought went into its design. And even at ten years of age, I reckon the main terminal still feels new and fresh.
Already a thriving domestic hub, Canberra Airport also recently rebooted operations in its international wing, with the launch of the first-ever non-stop flights to Fiji (read our review of the first flight here).
Arrival
A perfect U-shaped driveway brings passengers arriving by car into the airport. The top level is for dropping off, while there’s a free 10-minute pick-up area for arrivals downstairs.
In an interview prior to the inaugural FJ flight out of CBR, Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron tells me the ease of the experience “actually starts as you drive in and you can see the terminal”.
“That orientation and visuality … you see right through. So the whole idea is that it’s a pretty easy experience,” he says.
On the upper level, the spacious departures hall is split into two concourses – western and southern. Or put more simply, Qantas and Jetstar on the right (southern) and Virgin Australia, Rex Airlines and others on the left (western) as you enter.
Check-in for Fiji Airways, the first international carrier to return to CBR post-pandemic, is located at the far left of the terminal. There’s a little activity going on here, but the majority of the public side area is quiet too.
Security
As international passengers share the terminal with domestic passengers, I need to go through security twice.
All travellers pass through the main security point, which today is made easy by 1) the automatic tray return system, 2) the relatively few passengers, and 3) the friendly staff.
“We’ve tried to make it seamless and easy. People don’t like delays. We know that for passengers, every minute matters. So we try to avoid queues; it has a very natural flow,” Byron says.
Airside
Once through security, you can take your pick of warm or cold refreshments, with cityhill coffee immediately on your left and Capital Brewing (and its large array of tap beers drawing you in) on the right. Or eats at Noodles XO and Bakers Cut.
Also airside, news@CBR offers a wide range of books, souvenirs and more, while Merchant boasts all things ACT.
“We opened up a whole lot of new retail in December 2019. And we had a second phase that we ended up completing last year. So the retail is all vibrant and pretty new,” Byron tells me.
International
Travellers reach international departures by way of an escalator in the corner of the terminal. Once there, passengers can use their e-passports at the Departures SmartGates. With virtually no lines, this takes literally a matter of seconds to navigate. Next up is the second security check, which again goes smoothly.
On the other side, the first thing I encounter is a large (and right now empty) lounge area, with a nice mix of casual seating, armchairs and communal desks with charging stations.
Just around the corner from here, past another outlet selling snacks, souvenirs, tech and stuff to read, is the departure gate area. This part of CBR still has that new airport smell (figuratively) – even the bathrooms are spotless and odourless (literally).
With the big and beautiful backdrop of the CBR runway, the departure zone is filled with enough seating options to keep even the fussiest of flyers comfy before take-off.
And if you’re feeling hungry or parched, there’s the International Departure Bar & Cafe which features a well-stocked bar along with light meals and snacks.
“Our international terminal is a high-end terminal,” the Canberra Airport boss remarks.
“It’s a facility that would be the equivalent of a business-class lounge, but available for all customers so there’s no separate lounge. But the economy passengers get the benefit of what is a business-class-quality international departure lounge.”
Art, accommodation and more
Home to a few lovely aesthetic additions, CBR has form as well as function.
Those checking in for international flights (currently only Fiji Airways), can’t miss the historic Lockheed Hudson plane.
But there are numerous sculptures inside and outside the terminal that demand attention as well, like the 7.5 metre, 3.8-ton bronze work by Aussie artist Andrew Rogers, which at the time of its unveiling was Australia’s largest sculpture.
Literally a one-minute walk from the main terminal, the Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport is almost a work of art itself. You’ll know what I mean when you see its stunning atrium.
The details:
- Canberra International Airport
- Airlines: Qantas, QantasLink, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Link Airways, FlyPelican, Fiji Airways (INT)
- Website: www.canberraairport.com.au
- Location: 10 minutes from Canberra CBD
- Accommodation: Vibe Hotel Canberra
- 34 check-in counters, ten passenger jet bridges, six baggage carousels
- Passenger numbers (2019): 3.22 million
