Control of Hobart airport sold

[RooFlyer]

A Macquarie Bank entity had its 49% share of Hobart airport for sale, but the new owners, A QIC/Royal Schiphol Group consortium, has acquired a 70% share by taking 20% from local co-owner, TasPlan.

Macquarie to sell Hobart Airport stake to QIC, Royal Schiphol

Macquarie Group <MQG.AX> said a consortium of Queensland Investment Corporation and Royal Schiphol Group [LUCHT.UL] agreed to acquire a 70% stake in Hobart International Airport from the firm's asset management unit and Tasplan Super.

www.reuters.com

Although the Mac-related mob were never good for the airport (or at least the public using the airport), - they starved it of capital for years - I'm not sure if the new ownership will be any better. They would have paid a good price and will now need to squeeze the lemon to get their return!!

Time will tell, but Hobart Airport is worth avoiding, in favour of Launceston, unless you have to start your trip in Hobart.

 

[drron]

Fortunately my flights in and out of Tassie are LST or DPO.

 

[Stealthflyer]

I hope they invest in the proposed expansion and improvements, such as a larger check in area, more departure space and seating, international customs, and space for lounges (particularly a Virgin lounge). There are a lot of cashed up people visiting the state and yet the airport is absolutely dismal.

I should acknowledge that the airport has made some changes in the last decade. These changes seem to be most visible in the expansion of the overpriced car parks. I don’t know if anyone else remembers, but as recent as the mid-2000s, the luggage buggy pulled into a shed and everyone just grabbed their suitcase directly from the back. Back then, Tasmania’s tourism industry was just a baby, plus flights were infrequent and expensive. The airport simply hasn’t kept up with demand. It needs some serious work.

 

[RooFlyer]

The airport simply hasn’t kept up with demand. It needs some serious work.

I've traced some of the recent history in other threads. About 6 years ago they launched their 'master plan' where, as usual, they were going to tinker around the edges (of the terminal - literally). Halfway in, they realised, 'Gee, we are getting a lot more traffic through than we expected ... Tasmanian tourism must be good' .

They did manage to put all the baggage collection down one end, so for some flights you have to walk the entire length of the terminal to get your bags, then walk half way back to get a taxi, or walk almost the entire length back if you have a car parked.

So they stopped for a couple of years and had a think. In the meantime, aircraft disembarking was often delayed because they didn't have enough stairs to service them - notwithstanding the stairs are made in northern Tasmania!! They lengthened the runway to attract larger, international aircraft (with much $$ from the Feds) but still haven't been able to attract any international flights.

New master plan - first up, Installed wooden benches in the gate lounges and (of course) increased the retail. Still no air bridges planned ... so you'll still have to walk up to 200m on the tarmac to get to and from your plane. They introduced tugged push-backs to replace the old power-out, so they could squeeze another aircraft onto the existing apron space. Now re-jigging the roadways in the front of the terminal, for the second time, having done it for the previous 'master plan'.

I don't think there is any more lounge space under the new plan and I doubt Virgin will ever put a lounge in HBA. 1. The airport will probably charge too much for the floor space (they's get more for shops) and 2. Virgin will see rightly that its overwhelmingly tourist traffic, and tourists don't need lounges, do they? Plus the plebs have put up with no lounge so far, so why should we spoil them now?

Chronically under-capitalised for years. Its just a coughpy airport.

 

[cove]

We used to go to Hobart for water polo competitions. I found the airport kinda cute.

 

[Stealthflyer]

New master plan - first up, Installed wooden benches in the gate lounges and (of course) increased the retail. Still no air bridges planned ... so you'll still have to walk up to 200m on the tarmac to get to and from your plane. They introduced tugged push-backs to replace the old power-out, so they could squeeze another aircraft onto the existing apron space. Now re-jigging the roadways in the front of the terminal, for the second time, having done it for the previous 'master plan'.

Those benches are awful. My flights always seem to be delayed and I’ve spent way too many hours with my bum crunched against them.

The roadways seem to be under constant construction. And yet they still haven’t solved pick up congestion. Plus they’ve installed a barrier (undercover seating for taxi and bus customers) right where people exit the carousel for pick up. Poor design in every way.

The latest master plan I’ve seen promised a massive extension. But who knows when or if it’ll happen. As you said, Rooflyer, despite the government’s investment in a new runway, they still don’t have an airline committed. But then I wonder if it’s a chicken and egg thing - the airlines are looking at Hobart airport and seeing a building and system that is unprepared. But then the airport owners are thinking that there’s no rush because there no committed international airline. I would love to be able to fly directly to Asia. I know a lot of FF have the mantra “why fly direct when you can connect” but being forced into that ain’t fun.

 

[RooFlyer]

QP today



Departure lounges today



Departure delayed because of need to load 2 wheelchair pax by the creaky lift and the rest of the cattle via stairs.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Departure delayed because of need to load 2 wheelchair pax by the creaky lift and the rest of the cattle via stairs.

Apparently they’re getting ramps to replace the stairs and lift. I think it only happened after someone fell down the stairs and broke something.

Personally, I don’t mind the lack of airbridge. There’s nothing quite like the first breath of icy night air to welcome you home.

 

[RooFlyer]

Apparently they’re getting ramps to replace the stairs and lift.

They've had a couple of ramps for a while, but I think only suitable for B717s.

 

[Stealthflyer]

They've had a couple of ramps for a while, but I think only suitable for B717s.

That explains why I haven’t encountered them yet. Do Jetstar have any B717s or is it just Qantas?

 

[RooFlyer]

Only the glory that is Qantas. I guess the only saving virtue is that it probably means more flights during the day.

 

[jakeseven7]

So can we expect the long promised VA lounge materialising.......

 

[RooFlyer]

So can we expect the long promised VA lounge materialising.......

No. See post #4

 

[jakeseven7]

No. See post #4

Oh really? What a surprise. Joke much?

 

[Isochronous]

When I last read about this it was meant to be French outfit named VINCI that were going to buy it. Hope this consortium manages to improve HBA to a higher standard than what we have currently.

 

[drron]

Gee Rooflyer that lounge isn't crowded.I saw at least 2 empty seats.As is typical though one had a bag on it and the other clothing.Even in the gate area i noticed a few bags up on the seats-which do really look uncomfortable.'If only people would have a little courtesy-no bag has ever complained of not having a seat for itself.

 

[Quickstatus]

There’s nothing quite like the first breath of icy night air to welcome you home.

Laced with JetfuelA1 and exhausts.

@RooFlyer, was looking at that carpet design and comparing it with the QF Flounge design by that fellow whats his name. It gives the same vibe IMO.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, and with the vegetation wall panels it's the complete Flounge experience!

 

[Quickstatus]

I actually didn't mind it that much last time I was in HBA but as an occasional visitor, I don't have that contempt that breeds from familiarity. The food offerings are minimal though, not that there are real food offerings in a QF DOM lounge either. I just viewed the whole terminal to be a generic lounge. I sat at the central bar which was OK.
Edit: There was a slight delay getting on the aircraft as a stiletto (not mine) came off on the aircraft stairs on embarkation. Why Stilettos are not banned as a potential dangerous weapon on aircraft these days I dont know.

 

[RooFlyer]

In the local rag this morning a story about how the feds have funded immigration etc for the forthcoming international flights!