WA Domestic Airport branded 'worst in Australia'

[oz_mark]

From WA Domestic Airport branded 'worst in Australia' | PerthNow

FEDERAL politicians have labelled Perth's domestic airport the worst in Australia.

Some, like Forrest MHR Geoff Prosser, have compared the airport with a Third World facility.

[....]

Mr Vaile said yesterday: "The Government believes that airport operators have sufficient incentive to invest in infrastructure that will meet the future aviation needs of airport users.

"The Australian Government expects Westralia Airports Corporation to provide the facilities commensurate with those expected at a major capital city.''

[....]

 

[Reggie]

Mr Prosser said that standards had deteriorated under the watch of WAC.

"Adelaide airport used to be ridiculed as being the worst in the country, having what amounted to Third World facilities,'' he said.

"Unfortunately, Perth has now got this title.''

That says it all

 

[bambbbam2]

You're preaching to the converted, brother..

 

[oz_mark]

On the plus side, the airport (or WAC) are in the cross-hairs of some federal MP's. Just maybe something might be done about it now.

 

[Reggie]

On the plus side, the airport (or WAC) are in the cross-hairs of some federal MP's. Just maybe something might be done about it now.

Only because it takes them too long to get through security and they are missing a drink or 2 in the CL. :shock:

 

[oz_mark]

The editorial about the airport is also online:Gateway to WA's frustration | PerthNow

PERTH domestic airport is more than just a place to board and disembark planes.

It is the gateway to WA and plays a significant role in the first impressions people get of our wonderful state.

Sadly, those first impressions are far from glowing.

Our airport is unfriendly, blighted by long queues and delayed baggage delivery times.

 

[SeaWolf]

I remember some talk a while ago about the run from the Domestic Airport to the city along the Great Eastern Highway being a bit of a discrace as well. I lived near that stretch for a while and I'm inclined to agree.

While I'd say the domestic terminals are not very good compared with Sydney, I certainly wouldn't go calling them third world.

 

[Reggie]

While I'd say the domestic terminals are not very good compared with Sydney, I certainly wouldn't go calling them third world.

Not what you be expecting from a State capital city in the midst of its biggest economic boom. If the owners where more concerned with providing parking and better facilities to pax than carving up the land on Horrie Miller and selling it off to industry we would have a better a better airport.

 

[StevePER]

I remember some talk a while ago about the run from the Domestic Airport to the city along the Great Eastern Highway being a bit of a discrace as well. I lived near that stretch for a while and I'm inclined to agree.

It still is. The state and federal governments are too busy arguing about funding to actually fix the problem.

 

[SeaWolf]

Well, look at what's popped up this morning:
Qantas to upgrade Perth domestic terminal - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[codash1099]

Well, look at what's popped up this morning:
Qantas to upgrade Perth domestic terminal - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

It's a constant amazement to me how the "decision makers" of this world take so long to see that which is so obvious to the rest of us. Even now, the airport bigwigs will only admit that they are thinking about expansion and will make a decision by the end of the year. This decision should already have been made and work well under way.

It seems to me that they operate on the principle of ignoring the problem in the hope that it will go away.

 

[oz_mark]

From Qantas: About Qantas - Newsroom

Qantas announced today it would undertake a $50 million program of improvements to its domestic terminal at Perth Airport with work to commence by the end of 2007.

Qantas Executive General Manager Services Curtis Davies said the changes would provide enhanced facilities for passengers, aircraft and baggage services, and ensure the terminal was able to meet growing demand.

"Perth has experienced strong domestic passenger growth for a number of years due to Western Australia's economic growth and the strong performance of the resources sector," Mr Davies said.

"This has placed pressure on the airport's infrastructure and Qantas has been working with Westralia Airports Corporation (WAC) to ensure our facilities are able to cater for short to medium term needs.

"We are also working with WAC to identify sustainable long-term development requirements for the airport."

Mr Davies said Qantas' improvements would include:
* expansion of the existing check-in area for departing passengers;
* installation of additional QuickCheck kiosks;
* a new security screening area to allow faster, smoother passenger flow;
* expansion of the departure lounge
* an upgrade and expansion of the Qantas Club lounge facilities;
* additional checked baggage screening facilities and improved baggage handling capacity; and
* expansion of the baggage reclaim area.

Mr Davies said to alleviate peak period aircraft parking issues, Qantas would construct a new aerobridge and upgrade a bay to provide additional wide-body aircraft parking capacity.

He said the Qantas enhancements would be undertaken in collaboration with WAC, which was also undertaking a range of improvements to facilities under its control.

"As these improvements are completed, the Qantas domestic terminal will look better and work more effectively for our customers by providing a more efficient and enjoyable airport experience," Mr Davies said.

 

[serfty]

Hmmm ... so there is now no plan to have both Int and Dom within cooee of each other?

 

[oz_mark]

Hmmm ... so there is now no plan to have both Int and Dom within cooee of each other?

I guess it means Qantas aren't expecting it to happen in the "short to medium term". Which is probably true, even if they made the decision to do it tomorrow, it would be quite a way down the track before we saw it.

Still no sign of how WAC are going to fix the traffic/parking problem.

 

[Reggie]

Hmmm ... so there is now no plan to have both Int and Dom within cooee of each other?

Serfty, the Int and Dom terminals are only a stone throw (maybe three) from each other, probably closer than in BNE and SYD. The only problem is the big strips of bitumen between them, and the lack of a decent bus connection aka Sydney.

 

[Reggie]

Still no sign of how WAC are going to fix the traffic/parking problem.

I saw the WAC guys the other day, they had dug these holes in the sand near the carpark, and they were bent over with their heads in them.

What carpark problem there is plenty of space aound here.

I use Skypark.

 

[serfty]

Serfty, the Int and Dom terminals are only a stone throw (maybe three) from each other, probably closer than in BNE and SYD. ...

I was aware of that; perhaps there's too much vested interest in keeping the current situation ... :-|

 

[oz_mark]

I was aware of that; perhaps there's too much vested interest in keeping the current situation ... :-|

More interest in being a land developer than an airport operator.

 

[oz_mark]

This report from The West Australian, puts any amalgamation 5 - 7 years away
$70m airport upgrade is ‘just a stopgap’ : thewest.com.au

But Federal politicians dismissed the multi-million-dollar upgrade as a “band-aid solution” to overcrowding problems.

“It’s a stopgap measure for the next five years until the Westralia Corporation bites the bullet and spends around $700 million to amalgamate the domestic and international terminals as one on the international site,” said Kim Wilkie, Federal member for Swan.

Westralia Airports Corporation, which owns the airport, threw its support behind Qantas, with Mr Geatches saying improvements were necessary to cope with the increasing number of domestic travellers using the airport, even if it is only relevant for the next five to seven years.

..and it gets more political...
Perth Airport 'a federal failure' | PerthNow

THE Federal Government should fix Perth Airport before trying to take over other WA's infrastructure, according to the State Government.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said airports and telecommunications were the only infrastructure for which Canberra had responsibility, and the standard of delivery of both in WA was at best mediocre.