PER: Airline shake-up finally has lift-off

[thewinchester]

Quite timely considering anat0l and I were only discussing the subject of PER's woeful infrastructure last night on twitter (started because I was suffering F Lounge jealousy from bne99's TR posted last night).

Airline shake-up finally has lift-off
GEOFFREY THOMAS AVIATION EDITOR, The West Australian
October 19, 2010, 2:25 am

Westralia Airports Corporation is close to resolving a damaging stand-off over the relocation of airlines at Perth Airport, which is reaching the limit of its capacity as passenger growth soars ahead of forecasts.

Airport insiders say Virgin Blue has agreed in principle to move to a new wing of the international terminal to be completed by the second half of 2012.

That tacit agreement should set in motion a domino effect, with Skywest Airlines moving to the adjacent Terminal WA, which is due for completion at the same time, letting Qantas to expand into the vacated domestic Terminal 3.

However, no deals have been signed yet and the airport and airlines are about to enter a tough bargaining phase over costs.

The West Australian understands that while Virgin Blue has given the nod to the move, it wants equality of charges across the airport and does not want to be financially penalised for moving.

 

[oz_mark]

Seems to be a reasonable solution to the problem. It's always tough when you have staggered moves around airports!

 

[docjames]

Would be good if they incororated an airside shuttle between terminals.

Not having been to PER for ages, but are Dom-Int connections still by landside bus with limited hours?

 

[thewinchester]

Would be good if they incororated an airside shuttle between terminals.

Currently, the terminal transfer bus still operates from the landside area. Previously, it would use the airside road behind RWY's 24 & 24 to cross between terminals. And I agree with the concept of airside transfer at PER, but this has now become impossible without the bus having to cross the apron on the domestic side.

As the airside road down the western perimeter has now been removed entirely, if changed - the buses would need to traverse the eastern perimeter airside road.

For T1, this is all well and good as there is an airside road with appropriate clearances below the airbridges that keeps vehicles away from the apron there. It also wouldn't take much to connect up with the perimeter road there. There's also more than enough room at the Eastern end of the building to provide/construct an airside terminal transfer facility.

However, this idea comes properly unstuck when you get to T2 & T3. There is no airside road behind these two terminals, and the airbridges don't currently have enough clearance for a bus to pass under them at T2, plus T2 has four very active remote gates where air stairs are required.

All these factors combined would seriously increase the delay in apron movements, and in my view increase the risk of incursions and dangers to aircraft.

Thankfully, they've converted the Western airside road to a public road (they've installed new fences of course). This means that not only can the buses operate at a higher speed, it also makes it easier for the public and taxis to move between terminals without using the Tonkin Hwy. This alone saves 10min off the journey.

It has also provided some additional spotter locations, that are far easier to get to and provide higher up and even more spectacular views of the airfield without traversing through the bush.

Not having been to PER for ages, but are Dom-Int connections still by landside bus with limited hours?

Buses have been running 24hrs for the last 12 months, including on-demand services from 2300-0400. You can even call a mobile during those late/early hours for an urgent, expedited transfer.

 

[docjames]

Thanks thewinchester.

Sounds a significant improvement (if not perfect).

 

[codash1099]

Quite timely considering anat0l and I were only discussing the subject of PER's woeful infrastructure last night on twitter (started because I was suffering F Lounge jealousy from bne99's TR posted last night).

Another day, another plan.

I may be cynical (cries of NO, NO from the gallery) but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[wandering_fred]

Buses have been running 24hrs for the last 12 months, including on-demand services from 2300-0400. You can even call a mobile during those late/early hours for an urgent, expedited transfer.

Does that also apply to the paid (rather than the free QF ) transfer as well.

Taking the 37 bus to domestic and $5 to international certainly would beat cab fare for a single traveler.

Wandering on the cheap side. Not that I don't normally :mrgreen:

Fred

 

[thewinchester]

Does that also apply to the paid (rather than the free QF ) transfer as well.

Taking the 37 bus to domestic and $5 to international certainly would beat cab fare for a single traveler.

Yes, QF Transfer is on this service - so same service times and after-hours services apply.

And yes, the 37 then cab option is much easier now with the new public access road.

Two handy hints for getting to/from PER:

• Public transport: The 37 can take over a hour. Instead, catch the 36/295/296/299 and alight at Great Eastern Highway before Fauntleroy Ave, then take a nice 10min walk up to the terminal. Paved path all the way to domestic.
• Airport shuttle: The Connect shuttle came online nine months ago, and haven't heard any bad reviews about it. For city, $25 Return to domestic, $30 for the international, one way fares available. Picks up door to door from all around the city. Higher rates for transfers to/from Fremantle.

 

[markis10]

Interesting times for DJ and PER in general, still have not heard where they are going to park the A330's. With the preference for widebodies PER really needs to get its apron parking in order.