Hobart Airport has highlighted plans to increase its terminal size twofold as part of its 20-year vision to accommodate increasing passenger numbers with current facilities operating at almost twice their intended capacity.
Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter said current terminals were designed for about 1.5 million passengers per year but are dealing with 2.8 million travellers annually with numbers forecast to hit 5.5 million by 2042.
“As a result, we are looking at a doubling in the footprint of the terminal from 12,000sqm to 23,000sqm,” Mr Carter said.
“This … would not only increase space throughout the terminal but would deliver a much-improved passenger experience with significantly more food and beverage offerings as well as retail outlets.”
Mr Carter said the final cost, to be covered entirely by the airport, is still to be determined but would be in the “hundreds of millions”.
A runway upgrade, backed by $60 million in federal government funding, would likely be completed in early 2024.
“This is a really important project, which will not only unlock future passenger and export opportunities but with our terminal expansion plans, create significant economic growth for Tasmania,” he said.
Community consultation on the 20-year plan is open until 2 November 2022 with construction slated to begin in two or three years.
Via AAP