Queensland Slashes Train Fares to Brisbane Airport: Half-Price Tickets Announced

Starting 5 August 2024, train passengers travelling to Brisbane Airport will enjoy half-price tickets for a six-month trial period.


Read: Transdev and Vlogren Collaborate to Bring 17 Electric Buses to South East Queensland


This initiative, the result of negotiations between the State Government and Airtrain, aims to provide significant cost-of-living savings for Queenslanders.

Under the new pricing, ticket costs from Central Station to the Airport will be slashed from $21.90 to $10.95 for go card and EMV users, and to $11 for paper ticket holders. This reduction is part of a broader initiative to make public transport more affordable, following the State Government’s earlier announcement of 50-cent fares on all Translink services statewide starting on the same date.

Photo credit: Brisbane’s Airtrain/Facebook 

With the inclusion of Airtrain in this initiative, commuters can now travel from as far as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to the Airport for as little as $11.50. This significant train fare cut is expected to drive more passengers towards using the Airtrain, easing road congestion and reducing the stress associated with airport parking.

Enhanced Accessibility for Airport Workers

In a move to further enhance ticketing options for airport workers, efforts are underway to make Airport staff tickets available at Queensland Rail’s Central Station. Currently, these tickets can only be purchased at Brisbane Airport. As part of the fare reduction, the price of Airtrain’s Worker Ticket will be halved, with the Weekly Worker Ticket dropping from $43 to $21.50 and the Worker Book of 20 tickets decreasing from $120 to $60.

Premier Steven Miles emphasised the dual benefits of this initiative: making public transport more attractive and affordable for both Queenslanders and tourists, and alleviating the burden on the state’s road network. 

train
Photo credit: Brisbane’s Airtrain/Facebook 

“There has never been a better time to leave the car and the stress of airport parking behind and enjoy the half-price train trip instead,” he stated. He highlighted the growing population and increasing number of visitors to Queensland as key factors driving the need for more efficient public transport solutions.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish, reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting public transport use. He acknowledged the foundational work of the former LNP government led by Rob Borbidge in negotiating the Airtrain deal and pledged ongoing efforts to develop a long-term solution for public transport to the airport.


Read: Brisbane River Heritage Trail: Sightseeing Cruise Through the City’s Storied Past


For more details on Airtrain services and the new fare structure, visit www.airtrain.com.au.

Published 6-June-2024 

Stanwell To Supply Brisbane Airport With 100 Per Cent Renewable Energy

Energy generator Stanwell will supply Brisbane Airport with 100 per cent renewable energy, as part of a recently signed landmark renewable energy agreement between them.


Read: Get to Know Katana, a Hamilton Landmark Since the 19th Century


Every year, Stanwell will supply the airport up to 185 GWh of renewable energy, allowing all of their operations to run on clean energy, from the terminals to the runway lights, to the terminals, travellators, escalators, retail shops, and IT and electric vehicles refuellers.

Brisbane Airport was historically known for its coal-fired energy generation, but has since made a commitment to support Queensland’s decarbonisation efforts.

Stanwell
Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Facebook

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said it marked a major milestone towards cutting energy emissions in the sunshine state by 90 per cent by 2035.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan is the most ambitious action on climate change and renewables in Queensland’s history,” Minister Scanlon said.

Brisbane Airport Corporation Chief Executive Gert-Jan de Graaff said the deal would mean BAC could meet its net zero emissions commitment by 2025, 25 years earlier than planned.

Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Facebook

“We welcome this deal with Stanwell and are proud to be customer number one in its renewable energy pipeline,” Mr de Graaff said.

“This clean energy deal delivers on Brisbane Airport Corporation’s commitment to be a sustainable world leading airport city.

Stanwell CEO, Michael O’Rourke, said Stanwell was proud to be supporting Brisbane Airport Corporation accelerate its net zero target by 2025 through its retail arm Stanwell Energy.

“This is the first of many renewable energy options Stanwell Energy will be offering to support our commercial and industrial customers meet their decarbonisation requirements,” Mr O’Rouke said.


Read: Eldernell Hill: From 19th Century Aboriginal Camp to Blue-Chip Hamilton Location


“Stanwell Energy is unique in its approach when it comes to its service offering. Our dedicated account managers are able to work with customers to develop tailored energy contracts that provide flexibility, security, and access to renewable options.

Published 3-April-2023

IWC Top Gun Watch, iPhones and More Brisbane Airport Lost Items Up for Auction

Photo Credit: Gerd Altman/Pixabay

Snag a bargain online as more than 500 times left behind at the Brisbane Airport go up for auction soon! Items include an IWC Top Gun watch worth $10k to $30k, iPhones and tablets, jewellery, and strollers or prams.

Lloyd’s Auction will conclude the bidding for internet and absentee bidders on Sunday, 6 November 2022, at 10:00 a.m. 

Efforts have been made to return these lost items to their rightful owners. However, at least two-thirds remain unclaimed at the Visitor Information Centre in Brisbane Airport for more than 60 days. These items are either donated to charity or stored for the annual property auction, which has been ongoing for the last four years.



This year’s items include:

  • Huge volume of IT gear including Laptops, Phones, Tablets, E-Readers & more 
  • 2 x Hoverboards 
  • Over 56 sets of Headphones  
  • 5 x Guitars 
  • 36 x Prams / Strollers 
  • Clothes with new tags including Shoes, Shirts, Hats & more 
  • Prints of Batman, Landscapes, Florals & John Lennon 
  • 8 x Audio Speakers 
  • Jewellery – Bracelets, Rings, Ear Rings, Charms 
  • Kitchen Appliances – Pasta Maker, Rice Cooker 
  • 3 x Basketballs 
  • Coffee Machine 
  • A range of medical aids such as first aid kits, walking sticks, crutches, walking frame etc 
  • Multiple Fishing Rods 
  • 6 x Body Boards 
  • Watches & Fitbits 
  • 4 x Cricket Bats 
  • A Disney themed Scooter 
  • 4 x Hockey Sticks 
  • Variety of Handbags, Suitcases, Backpacks, Duffle bags etc 
  • 2 x Golf Clubs 
  • 2 x Cameras 
  • Bocce Set 
  • 1 x Massage Table 
  • A Surveyors Staff 
  • Assorted Memorabilia & Sporting Merchandise

Additional exclusive airport items will also be up for grabs, such as:

  • 1 year of free parking at Brisbane Airport 
  • a valuable piece of Brisbane Airport history with a Movement Area Guidance Sign (MAGS) from Runway 01/19 
  • a behind-the-scenes personal tour of Brisbane Airport  

Proceeds of the Brisbane Airport lost items auction will be directed to The Courier-Mail Children’s Fund. In 2021, the auction raised $17,699.20 and allowed Braille House to produce 25 new books, including a story on “Bluey,” for blind children. 

Plans Unveiled For New Aeromedical Facility At Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport Corporation is planning to set up a $72-million aeromedical base to connect more Queenslanders to major hospitals and life-saving medical care. 


Read: GEODIS Warehouse Construction at Brisbane Airport’s Export Park Begins


With over 14,000-sqm space, the Queensland Regional Aeromedical Base will feature state-of-the-art hangars for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, an administration building, and basic medical facilities.

The new precinct will be built to help with Queensland’s capacity for regional patient transfers and donor transfers throughout the State. It will also house aircraft and resources for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, LifeFlight, and Queensland Health.

The aeromedical base will be located between the two parallel runways on the northern end of the airport, near the current RFDS base.

aeromedical facilit
Artist’s impression of proposed aeromedical facility (Photo credit: Brisbane Airport Corporation)

Gert-Jan de Graaff, BAC’s CEO, said the airport offered an unparalleled aeromedical address with the size and flexibility needed to deliver special purpose developments.

“As the heart of the Queensland network for patient retrieval and medical transfers, the Queensland Regional Aeromedical Base at Brisbane Airport will enhance the network of aeromedical bases located throughout regional Queensland,” Mr de Graaff said.

Throughout construction, the precinct will create an estimated 200 jobs, and the base itself will contribute $100 million per year to the Queensland economy.

Brisbane Airport
Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Facebook

“A world-class development like this is not only a reflection of the strategic value of Brisbane Airport’s location and amenity, but also of our ability to deliver the best aeronautical connectivity and capacity thanks to our parallel runway system,” Mr de Graaff added.

BAC is working with the State Government, RFDS, and LifeFlight to finalise these plans before seeking approval from the Federal Government to proceed with the new facility.

Construction of the new combined aeromedical base at Brisbane Airport is expected to be complete by April 2023. 

2019 Was a Record-Breaking Year for Brisbane Airport

In 2019, the total number of passengers at Brisbane Airport (BNE) crossed the 24 million mark for the first time, helping Brisbane Airport Corporation record the strongest international and domestic growth among Australia’s major airports.

BAC’s international passenger volume posted growth of 266,182 or 4.5 percent to more than 6.3 million for the calendar year. Domestic passengers, on the other hand,  grew by 1.3 percent to more than 17.7 million.

“Brisbane as we know it is evolving and going from strength to strength thanks to a number of major infrastructure projects currently underway,” Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) Chief Executive Officer, Gert-Jan de Graaff said.

Photo credit: Brisbane Airport / Facebook

“With Brisbane Airport recording the strongest passenger growth amongst Australia’s major gateway airports, it is clear the rest of the world is taking notice of our great city and region and all it has to offer,” he said.

“The growth in visitor numbers is good news for our city, with the latest International and National Visitor Surveys conducted by Tourism Research Australia showing record expenditure occurring in Brisbane by both domestic and international visitors.

“It is through the collaboration and the collective strength of government, tourism and industry partners in promoting the unique and world-class offerings of Queensland that we continue to see visitor arrivals rise,” Mr de Graaff said.



BNE recorded its busiest day for international passengers on 21 December with 23,063 arrivals and departures within 24 hours. Whilst November posted the biggest passenger growth, an additional 41,991 international travellers, compared to November 2018.

Brisbane Airport Traffic performance – 2019 calendar year


20182019Year-on-year growth
International arrivals and departures6,073,9886,346,082+4.5%
Domestic-on-carriage8,4232,511-70.2%
Total international passengers6,082,4116,348,593+4.4%
Domestic arrivals and departures17,538,42817,766,240+1.3%
Total passengers23,620,83924,114,833+2.1%

Meanwhile, BNE recorded its busiest day of the year for domestic arrivals and departures with a record-breaking 63,525 passengers. In terms of growth, April recorded the biggest domestic passenger growth with additional 65,738 travellers as compared to the same month in 2018.

In mid-2020, BNE is expected to double its capacity with the opening of its newest runway whilst the $40-million redevelopment of Domestic Terminal is also expected to be completed this year.



New Hawker-Style Food Hall to Open at Brisbane Domestic Airport

A new hawker-style food hall, a first of its kind in Australian Airports, is set to land in November 2019 at the Brisbane Airport as part of the airport’s Domestic Terminal Redevelopment.

A seven-year contract, estimated to be worth US$49.2 million, was awarded to SSP Group to open and operate the new international food hall, which is inspired by local outdoor dining and farmers markets.

Situated at the Qantas end of the domestic terminal on the second level of the departures zone, the new food hall, called Food Collective, will feature five international and local brands: 

  • Ze Pickle –  Australian burger-bar offering food, craft beer, and a unique selection of cocktail and wine
 Brisbane Airport hawker-style food hall
Photo credit: Ze Pickle  / Facebook
  • Upper West Side Deli – New York-inspired concept offering sandwiches and  bagels
  • Yo! Sushi – serves sushi, sashimi and other authentic Japanese dishes
 Brisbane Airport hawker-style food hall
Photo credit:  YO! Sushi  / Facebook
  • Nippon Ramen – serves dumplings and ramen noodles
  • Mi Casa Burritos – serves traditional Mexican dishes including burritos, tortillas,  and tacos
The Food Collective | Domestic Terminal
Video Credit:
Brisbane Airport / YouTube

Food Collective will have a large centralised seating area with on-site self-order kiosks that will allow passengers to order food across all five restaurants. 

SSP Group will rotate new food and beverage concepts to keep its offerings current, fresh, and exciting throughout its seven-year contract.

Food Collective will open at the newly redeveloped Qantas Café Court which is part of the $40-million redevelopment of the Qantas and Central Terminal areas. The domestic airport redevelopment started in July 2018 and will be due for completion in late 2020.



2020 Brisbane Airport Preliminary Draft Master Plan Open for Feedback

Have you submitted your feedback yet on the preliminary draft of the 2020 Brisbane Airport Master Plan? Members of the community only have a few days left to say what they think.  

Released for public comment beginning 27 May 2019, the Preliminary Draft Master Plan provides an overview of the strategic direction for future development of the airport between now and 2040, with special focus on development plans for 2020-25.

The 2020 Master Plan’s Development Objectives are grouped into four main pillars of focus: growing aviation markets, excellence in customer satisfaction, supporting business growth, and driving economic prosperity.

Currently, BNE has several projects underway including:

  • Brisbane’s New Runway – Once the new parallel runway opens in 2020 the airport capacity is said to effectively be doubled.

🤯 What a difference a year makes! Brisbane's new runway is definitely taking shape and is on track to open in mid-2020. #runwayiscoming📷 June 2018 vs June 2019

Posted by Brisbane Airport on Thursday, August 1, 2019
  • BNE Auto Mall Due to open as the new BNE Auto Mall, a first of its kind development that includes a test track among other facilities, is expected to attract more visitors to the airport.
  • International Terminal Check-in and Domestic Terminal Retail Upgrades The draft master plan aims to address that future demand with expansions meant to extend the capacity of International and Domestic Terminals as well as identification of areas for new expansions.

☕️ Craving Campos coffee? ☕️ The redevelopment of the Domestic Terminal is well underway with Trader & Co. opening its…

Posted by Brisbane Airport on Monday, June 24, 2019
  • Multi-storey Car ParkThe facility will provide up to 2,800 additional parking bays.

Some possible future projects:

  • Domestic and International Terminals expansion – The draft master plan aims to address that future demand with a host of expansions to extend the capacity of International and Domestic Terminals as well as identification of areas for new expansions.
  • Aviation Support facilities and servicesTo meet existing and future needs, new precincts for aviation support facilities expansion are identified including a potential airside road connection
  • Future Northern and Western Terminal – BNE’s development strategy for the Domestic Terminal will focus on the development of the future Northern and Western Terminals. The Future Northern Terminal could be located with direct connectivity to the cross link taxiway system and both runways, whilst the Future Western Terminal could be situated with frontage to Brisbane’s new runway. 
  • Potential Mass Transit System A potential airport precinct future development option is the mass transit system comprising an airside MTS connecting the Terminals; a new rail station at Skygate; and a feeder bus shuttle service to ancillary airport precinct locations. 
 Brisbane Airport Preliminary Draft Master Plan
Photo credit:.Brisbane Airport / Facebook

2020 Brisbane Airport Master Plan Timeline:

  • Planning and technical studies: October 2017 – March 2018
  • Engagement with government and key stakeholders: March 2018 – April 2019
  • Public comment period: 27 May – 21 August 2019
  • 2020 Brisbane Airport Draft Master Plan and supplementary report produced: September – November 2019
  • Final draft submitted to Federal Minister: January 2020
  • Master Plan adopted, pending Ministerial approval: January 2020
  • Implementation: 2020 – 2024

Brisbane Airport currently serves more than 23 million passengers per year, which is projected to more than double by 2040. Once approved, the Master Plan will form the basis for future development of airport facilities over the next 20 years, with particular focus on the next five years. 



The final draft of the Master Plan will be submitted to the Federal Government in December 2019. 

For more information about the 2020 Brisbane Airport Master Plan, click here. Alternatively, you may check the hard copies at these locations during business hours:

  • Brisbane Square Public Library – 266 George Street, Brisbane City
  • Chermside Public Library – 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside
  • Carindale Public Library – 1151 Creek Road, Carindale
  • Toowong Public Library – 9 Sherwood Road, Toowong
  • Brisbane Airport Corporation’s Administration Office – 11 The Circuit, Brisbane Airport

Feedback may be submitted through the following:

  • Submit feedback via the form here 
  • Or Email your submission to masterplan@bne.com.au
  • Or Post your submission (no stamp required) to;

Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Ltd

Reply Paid 87847

Hamilton Central QLD 4007

Brisbane Airport Continues to Expand as a Transport and Commercial Hub

Latest research findings show overwhelming satisfaction of Brisbane Airport Corporation tenants and employees ahead of the completion of its several key projects.

The survey was aimed at current businesses and BNE workers and it provided insights from its over 425 businesses and 1,000 (out of more than 23,000) airport workers. The results showed that four out of five established businesses at the Brisbane Airport indicate that performance is either “very good” or “excellent”. Ninety percent of current airport workers enjoy working at Brisbane Airport.

BNE Property, Brisbane Airport’s property division, attributes this satisfaction to their vision of developing a partnership with BAC and its growing tenant base at the airport.
BNE Property is currently responsible for the development and management of property portfolio valued at over $1.265 billion, employing 90 percent of its workers from South-East Queensland and sourcing 90 per cent of construction equipment from local areas.

BNE Airport – An Ideal Business Destination
Video credit: Brisbane Airport/YouTube

The latest addition to their portfolio is the $300 million BNE Auto Mall which is touted to be the only automotive precinct in Australia offering 24/7 operation with no noise restrictions. Construction works had begun for this project which is going to be located next to the International Terminal. Delivered in three stages, stage 1 of BNE Auto Mall development is expected to be completed in 2021.

The BNE Auto Mall will feature a track with high-speed straights, skid pan, handling, and off-road circuits. The track will be available to use for manufacturer launch events, media driving events, driver training, and vehicle engineering, among other purposes.

Each of these projects coincides with the development of Brisbane Airport’s new runway. The survey said that 70 percent of businesses in the precinct believe the new runway will have a positive impact on their business.

Brisbane’s New Runway Achieves Construction Milestone

The construction of Brisbane’s new runway has achieved a critical milestone with the completion of the first portions of the link taxiways. The completed works will connect the new runways system with the existing system and terminals.

The recent milestone is part of the $120 million Dryandra Road Underpass contract, which includes the delivery of a public roadway. The public roadway, due to open in late September, will travel under the taxiways. It will allow access to the General Aviation Precinct and the Plane Spotters’ Area on Acacia Street.

Brisbane’s New Runway – Project Overview


Video credit: Brisbane Airport/YouTube

“As the finish line for the construction of the biggest aviation project in Australia draws close it is easy to forget just how much planning it has taken to get to this point,” Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) Chief Executive Officer, Gert-Jan de Graaff said.

“Brisbane’s new runway has been on Master Plan documents since the 1970s, so to be here where we can physically stand on taxiways and see the foundations of the runway being laid is a huge achievement for the thousands of people who have been involved with this project since its very early days,” he said.

The milestone is a great achievement for the project; it is, however, just the “tip of the iceberg”. Together with the runway and taxiway construction, a number of other constructions will also be underway like the High Intensity Approach Lighting system to both the north and south of the runway centreline and the landscaping of the 300ha site, Mr de Graaff said. These constructions will be completed ahead of the opening in mid-2020.

Landing on Brisbane’s New Runway


Video credit: Brisbane Airport/YouTube

“The Underpass is an engineering feat, being 1.6 metres thick at the deepest point, these bridges are designed to withstand the weight of a fully-laden A380 as well as any planned, future variants,”Jim Frith, McConnell Dowell Managing Director said.

The Underpass, being constructed five metres below sea level, will require a de-watering system that will remove the equivalent of the volume of two Olympic swimming pools in a single, 24-hour period. The physical structure, on the other hand, is comprised of approximately 20,000 m3 of concrete and 4,000 tonne of reinforced steel.

The enormity and complexity of the construction works also meant the employment of around 300 people, Mr Frith said.

Brisbane’s New Runway – Construction Timelapse


Video credit: Brisbane Airport/YouTube

Brisbane’s new runway by the numbers

  • Brisbane’s new runway site is 360 hectares (2.5 times the size of the Brisbane City CBD)
  • The runway is 3.3 km long and 60 metres wide
  • The taxiway system will be made up of 12 km of taxiways (25 metres wide)
  • The runway is made up of three layers: 2,475 mm sand, 600 mm of crushed rock and 125 mm asphalt
  • The taxiways are made up of three layers: 1,500 mm sand, 200 mm crushed rock and 490 mm of concrete.

Project contribution to SEQ:

  • 90 per cent of project employees live in South East Queensland (SEQ)
  • 90 per cent of construction equipment to be sourced from SEQ
  • Up to 675 people to work directly on the project during peak period
  • Additional $5 billion in annual economic benefit to the region by 2035
  • 7,800 jobs generated by the new runway by 2035

Dryandra Road Underpass

  • 750,000 cubic metres of sand was moved for construction of the underpass
  • 5 km of water and sewer pipes were installed
  • 35 km of conduits installed
  • Nearly 20,000 cubic metres of heavily reinforced concrete poured
  • More than 700 concrete piles driven to an average depth of more than 30 metres below ground level
  • 1.1 km of separated roadway
  • Four lanes – two airside, two landside
  • Designed to withhold the weight of a fully-laden A380 and future variants (approx. 710 tonne)
  • More than 700 metres of sheet piles installed

 

Brisbane Airport Domestic Passengers Registered Biggest Growth in Five Years: FY18 Report

The BAC fiscal year 2018 report indicates the biggest growth in five years for Brisbane Airport domestic passengers. There were additional 263,000 domestic passengers for  a 1.5 per cent increase from FY17. The domestic passengers volume totaled 17.5 million.

For FY18, Brisbane Airport international passengers grew by 5.2 per cent or more than 5.9 million. The China and Hong Kong market registered its largest year-on-year passenger volume growth so far, up by 20 per cent. Following China and Hong Kong are Malaysia (up by 19.6 per cent), India (up by 14.7 per cent), and Korea (up by 13.9 per cent).


Video credit: Brisbane Airport/Youtube</span

Overall, the FY18 saw a 2.4 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers, including domestic and international traffic. Passenger numbers grew to more than 23.4 million passengers.

More Direct Flights, Seats, and Partnership With Local and State Government Fueled Passenger Growth

BNE attributes the increase in passengers numbers, both international and intrastate, from direct flights and more seats to and from Brisbane Airport. During the same period, there was also a 5.8 per cent increase in seats to global destinations.

“There’s no doubt Brisbane, South East Queensland and Queensland as a whole, offers many compelling and unparalleled reasons for new airlines to consider bringing their aircraft into this market,” Gert-Jan de Graaff, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) Chief Executive Officer said.

“This is why BAC aggressively competes to attract new airlines, bigger and more efficient aircraft, and additional flights from our city to unserved direct destinations.” he said.

For the first time in three years, intrastate passengers traffic grew owing to increased seat capacity to/from Brisbane. Some intrastate routes showed good growth with  Proserpine, Mackay, and Townsville outperforming other destinations and absorbing the additional seats.
Video credit: Brisbane Airport/Youtube</span

“The figures show the considerable efforts we undertake in aviation attraction, along with the contributions our partners in local and state government make through various incentive schemes, trade missions and campaigns, boosts visitors to Queensland, with Brisbane the gateway to the city, as well as the broader region, from northern NSW to Tropical North Queensland,” Mr de Graaff said.

Looking Forward to 2019

“As the opening of Brisbane’s new runway draws near, we remain committed to championing Brisbane and Queensland to the world, while continuing the roll-out of our extensive multi-billion dollar infrastructure program, growing and updating our facilities and services with a keen focus on providing an exceptional customer experience,” Mr de Graaff concludes.

Brisbane Airport Corporation expects that the capacity growth will spill over into the next 12 months. New services will open next year to reinforce international passenger growth. Domestic passenger growth, on the other hand, is expected to show modest growth in FY19.