Melbourne Airport T4 opens

[Melburnian1]

Today's media release regarding the (partial) opening of the replacement T4 makes sense - except in one comment.

Why would Tigerair's 'existing facilities' need to undergo 'refurbishment' - wouldn't the current facility in the two buildings (one for departures and I think the other a former freight shed, until recently used for Tigerair arrivals) when they are surely likely to be either demolished or in the case of the freight shed returned to that usage?

See:

http://melbourneairport.com.au/news...rt-opens-the-doors-to-its-new-terminal-4.html

 

[JessicaTam]

Seems odd, as I thought TT, JQ and ZL were to all operate from there.

 

[smit0847]

Im guessing TT wouldn’t have wanted to actually move into the new T4 unless the rental/operational costs were similar, or they were given no choice (ie the old T4 being demolished). TT have wafer thin profit margins and I doubt they would have gladly increased their costs to enhance the customer experience. Nothing they do suggests customer experience is a high priority for them. For Melbourne Airport, there would be incentive to convince TT to move to the new T4 as there are a lot of retail outlets in the new T4 vs the old T4 and more retail means more money for Melbourne Airport. Does anyone have any inside knowledge on whether TT was given an amazing deal to move to the new T4 or if they were kicked out of the old T4?

This ‘totally self-check in’ concept is interesting. Does that mean the only staff at check-in are minimal directional staff and service desk staff. I guess the self check-ins will strictly shut people out at T-45 minutes. If these kioks are intuitive enough to move people to other flights and process the penalty fees it will leave main role of the service desk staff to be someone for angry pax to yell at when they realise a machine won’t let them check-in late.

 

[soorox]

Don't worry TT will fully move its operations to the 'new T4', unfortunately for ZL though, they will take up residence at the 'old T4' after the refurbishments are done - That's what I heard. JQ is expected to fully move to the 'new T4' by late November, all subject to change.

The 'Tin Shed' will be connected to the new terminal somehow.

 

[Melburnian1]

soorox, I realise there may be cost issues involved but I am still mystified as to why the Melbourne Airport management would want to keep the 'tin shed' operational for passenger airline(s) such as ZL when all the previous publicity has been that budget airlines (of which, admittedly, ZL is strictly not one - it's a niche 'legacy' airline) would move to the new T4.

Surely the new T4 can fit ZL's relatively small operation in and the buildings concerned can either be demolished or used for airline freight consignments?

What does it say about MEL that a (small) 'legacy' airline may have inferior arrangements to two (larger) budget airlines?

But then. nothing should surprise us. after all, we're a city of 4.4 million without an electrified rail line between its CBD and its main airport - and no plans (currently) to build one despite in excess of 15 million passengers in, and the same number out, using MEL annually!

 

[dajop]

How can you say that a refurbished old T4 will be worse for Rex customers until you have seen it? It may end up being right for the airline. It seems around the right size for a peak demand of what - 7 aircraft - or 200 or so passengers? It may be good idea to keep the small props down one end.

 

[JessicaTam]

If the old T4 is refurbished just for ZL, then we effectively end up with T5. Which is just silly.

 

[Melburnian1]

dajop, since the 'new' T4 and the 'tin shed' are next to each other, surely the best solution is to put ZL in the 'new' T4 and if necessary have passengers walk a few extra metres? I agree with JessicaTam, having five different departure points for aircraft at MEL is silly, and may I add confusing: MEL is not yet the size of LAX and everything in transport, surface or air, should be kept as simple as possible.

Some infrequent or first time flyers find dealing with a multiplicity of terminals confusing. This may well be even more the case now that so-called budget airlines, while not always cheaper than rail or bus, are now the mode of choice for many who a decade or two ago would have largely travelled by other means. 50 years ago air travel was the preserve of the affluent: this is no longer so.

dajop, not everyone is as informed a traveller as you no doubt are, and confusion leads to instances of passengers going to the incorrect terminal and in a worst case missing their flight.

 

[dajop]

Where is there any talk of T5. From what I've read (I could be wrong) the old T4 will be connected to new T4 and its all just T4.

Also, as for confusion perhaps at MEL where all the terminals will be connected it is a less of an issue. If you end up in T1 instead of T4 it is a ten minute walk. If in SYD and end up in T1 instead of T3 the consequences may be much worse!

 

[soorox]

Ok let me clarify everything, I have looked over the plans of the entire T4 precinct. The old T4 will be interconnected with the new T4. Only check-in will be done at the old T4 for ZL and maybe TT (keeping in mind that the new T4 only has self service kiosks, whilst the old T4 has the normal check in desks). Passengers won't really tell the difference between the 2 since there will be no walls separating them, it's pretty much 1 building now.

After check in, ALL pax will continue upstairs. From my understanding ZL will continue to operate out of Pier F (that's the 2nd pier of T3 and the closest gates), which is connected to the new T4 whilst JQ and TT pax will have quite a lengthy walk to Pier G.

- ZL check in will move into T4, but no change to gates

- TT check in and gates will be moved fully to the new T4

- JQ check in and gates will be moved fully to the new T4

There might be a chance that TT have split check in operations.

 

[openseat]

Once JQ goes to T4 I suppose it will be very difficult to visit the QP, just like Sydney. I detect a pattern emerging.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Once JQ goes to T4 I suppose it will be very difficult to visit the QP, just like Sydney. I detect a pattern emerging.

It might be a bit of a walk but I don't think it will be impossible....all terminals are interconnected unlike SYD where the terminals are on opposite poles of the carpark with a long walk using the Airport Train tunnel.

 

[pauly7]

I'm quite looking forward to Jetstar being booted from the QF terminal (selfishly!). Will make it a much nicer space

Does that imply JQ will use the auto check in system in MEL?

I can't believe VA are still doing it manually.

 

[gizzard]

Once JQ goes to T4 I suppose it will be very difficult to visit the QP, just like Sydney. I detect a pattern emerging.

QP to JQ in SYD is only about a 5 minute walk. MEL will be around twice that I would estimate, unfortunately.

 

[Melburnian1]

I made a brief visit to MEL recently.

It appears that TT is now at ground level past the two VA 'extra' gates in the 'new Ansett era wing' of T3 - i.e. the wing that did not rceive a lot of use apart from ZL.

For what I suspect is the first time in Australia, if you are a 'meeter and greeter' you cannot go all the way with domestic TT passengers.

There is a 'race' through which TT passengers are funnelled in two lines. There is also an exit lane in case anyone has to return to the main after security concourse. At the end of the race a staff member is present with a scanner to record the barcode on a passenger's boarding pass.

The TT planes have passengers board and alight via stairs and there is some sort of temporary fence or cladding on the outside of the building (i.e. at the extremity of the pier.) I hope that this all makes sense.

 

[serfty]

Reads like they have simply moved the TT and JQ [-]cattle yards[/-]holding pens to a common location.

 

[RooFlyer]

This seems an appropriate place for this whinge.

"Due to circumstances beyond my control" I was forced to fly Jetstar today, MEL-HBA (yes, I know, the horror, the horror!).

My previous 'worst ever' terminal building was Ouagadougou International, which at the time of visiting was just a concrete shell/building site as they were renovating the building (as in knocking down concrete walls and all ceiling fittings) while still using it. Not any more. If ever there is a building which the owners wanted to make a statement, and the statement was:

"We hold you, the customers in the most complete contempt possible. If we could get away with it, we wouldn't even supply you with light and oxygen."

... then it would be MEL T4.

I visited the loos and was surprised to find that they weren't just the squat type hole-in-the-ground. I mean, have you seen the cost of plumbing, not to mention water, recently?

From plans I measured 650m from security to Gate 51 where I boarded today (from check-in, add maybe 200m?); no travelators, although there was the luxury touch of an escalator where they dumped you down to the tarmac level holding pens. I helped an elderly-type couple along the concourse; they were very distressed at the long walk. While they could have asked for assistance, who would have predicted such an ordeal? Any anyway, I didn't see a single motorised cart thing either parked or in action; are they even available?

Fair dinkum, life's too short to put up with that sort of cough.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

This seems an appropriate place for this whinge.

"Due to circumstances beyond my control" I was forced to fly Jetstar today, MEL-HBA (yes, I know, the horror, the horror!)................................
Fair dinkum, life's too short to put up with that sort of cough.

Yes I know - with Ron working at Burnie I have flown into and out of there ! But no more Death* and Rex for me, next week I have 3 QF flights (MCY - SYD - MEL - DPO ) Ron has to pick me up in Devonport if he wants to see me