An artist’s impression of the exterior area of the transit lounge.
Camera IconAn artist’s impression of the exterior area of the transit lounge. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Perth Airport unveils some upgrades at Terminal 3 ahead of non-stop Perth to London services

Aaron CorlettSouthern Gazette

PERTH Airport has unveiled some of the upgrades at Terminal 3 (T3), ahead of the start of non-stop flights from Perth to London.

After the airport and Qantas reached an agreement in December 2016 to allow international flights out of T3, including the non-stop service from Perth to London, works have been ongoing.

The Perth to London service is set to start on Saturday, March 24 on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

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Some of the upgrades include a streamlined immigration and customs area, new stores and dining areas.

Perth Airport chief executive Kevin Brown said the upgrades allowed for an international terminal to operate within a domestic terminal.

“We’ve given you an oversight today before it opens on March 24 is that we’ve carved out an international terminal within a domestic terminal,” he said.

“We’ve created a flexible terminal that can operate as a domestic and international terminal, it will probably work 50-50.

“Passengers coming in from Melbourne can transit quickly on to a flight to London and vice-versa.

“It’s a really flexible, fast process and the partnership with Qantas and (Australian) Border Force has made that process as seamless as possible.”

Qantas airport infrastructure manager Nathan Reed, Australian Border Force regional commander Rod O’Donnell and Perth Airport chief executive Kevin Brown in the upgraded Terminal 3.
Camera IconQantas airport infrastructure manager Nathan Reed, Australian Border Force regional commander Rod O’Donnell and Perth Airport chief executive Kevin Brown in the upgraded Terminal 3. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mr Brown said discussions with Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce had identified Frankfurt and Paris as key destinations for possible future non-stop flights.

“I know Alan is very keen to see how this route kicks off but all we are aware of is that it’s going to get off to a fantastic start, hopefully soon afterwards we will be hearing more announcements,” he said.

Australian Border Force regional commander Rod O’Donnell said the upgrades had allowed the terminal to be fitted with the latest security technology.

“We’ll see a full 24/7 operating airport with around 12 officers on each shift but they will also be deployed into other areas, this is going to be a truly mobile, agile workforce,” he said.

“The terminal will operate in a domestic mode at which time travellers will go about their domestic travel…then when we switch to international mode, those gates will close and the people allowed in there will be those cleared through our processes.”

Qantas airport infrastructure manager Nathan Reed said it was beneficial to company to have greater connectivity at the terminal.

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