Qantas to move to new Perth Airport terminal, expand Perth hub

[jrfsp]

I don't recall that it was for 'years', but it was like that for a while at least.

I think there was a period where there wasn’t QF metal to SIN, it was 3K only.

 

[TY24]

It feels like there's a long way to go.

Have you seen the size of the terminal they’re operating out of for international flights at PER?

It’s smaller than most domestic terminals, with a grand total of 3 aerobridges, and it gets used for domestic ops in the hours between international flights. Once they start the Auckland and SA services it’ll be pretty much maxed out unless they make it full time international. I assume this is what will happen when they ‘expand’ T3 in the coming years.

They’ve already kicked JQ out to slum it in T2 to increase their international capacity.

 

[SYD]

Have you seen the size of the terminal they’re operating out of for international flights at PER?

It’s smaller than most domestic terminals, with a grand total of 3 aerobridges, and it gets used for domestic ops in the hours between international flights. Once they start the Auckland and SA services it’ll be pretty much maxed out unless they make it full time international.

They’ve already kicked JQ out to slum it in T2 to increase their international capacity.

Although, the context of the announcement relates to the eventual move to T1 precinct (which is long overdue).

 

[TY24]

Although, the context of the announcement relates to the eventual move to T1 precinct (which is long overdue).

Absolutely it is, but another part of it is that they’ll be ‘expanding’ (hopefully that means another aerobridge or two) T3 in the 7 odd years between now and the new terminal opening so they can begin ramping up international services out of PER sooner.

 

[SYD]

Absolutely it is, but another part of it is that they’ll be ‘expanding’ (hopefully that means another aerobridge or two) T3 in the 7 odd years between now and the new terminal opening so they can begin ramping up international services out of PER sooner.

As you mentioned, booting JQ out presumably frees up some gates! Probably also helps with QP/J Lounge crowding…

Either way, T3/T4 is a miserable space compared to the VA pier…

I’ve only ever “arrived” at T1, so can’t comment on whether that’ll be an improvement for QFi departures - assuming the new QF pier will be Domestic only? Or will they expand the international departure gates also? One would hope so?

 

[Captain Halliday]

I actually think the ADL folks are most justified to have a moan.

Yep, and it has nothing to do with airlines!

 

[Jos888]

I'm not usually one to defend QF, but I don't think that claim is accurate. I think there was a short period of time where the 737 was the only offering to SIN.

It was 3 years from 2015 to 2018 and for more than a year before that there was no Qantas service at all between Singapore and Perth. We were living in Singapore then so I remember it well. That 737 flight was always packed and very uncomfortable in Economy.

 

[Franky]

Absolutely it is, but another part of it is that they’ll be ‘expanding’ (hopefully that means another aerobridge or two) T3 in the 7 odd years between now and the new terminal opening so they can begin ramping up international services out of PER sooner.

Well given that the subject was the move to T1, I don’t know why you're still talking about T3 and T4. The move to T1 which was always the plan once the second main runway was finished, is quite close. Like all major projects like this, there are hiccups, as was encountered trying to bore a tunnel under the existing runway which was quite sandy and required much more fortifications than originally thought. In the meantime, T3 and T4 do enough with the shorter cross runway to run services in both directions - to the golden triangle on the East coast, and internationally to wherever they want to go.

 

[Franky]

As you mentioned, booting JQ out presumably frees up some gates! Probably also helps with QP/J Lounge crowding…

Either way, T3/T4 is a miserable space compared to the VA pier…

I’ve only ever “arrived” at T1, so can’t comment on whether that’ll be an improvement for QFi departures - assuming the new QF pier will be Domestic only? Or will they expand the international departure gates also? One would hope so?

Of course they will, that has been the long term plan all along, where else would they fly internationally from once the second runway is completed?

 

[PERLHR]

It was 3 years from 2015 to 2018 and for more than a year before that there was no Qantas service at all between Singapore and Perth. We were living in Singapore then so I remember it well. That 737 flight was always packed and very uncomfortable in Economy.

Yet they ply the PER to SYD route often with 737s and on many occasions flying time is longer than PER-SIN. It's awful as well!

Post automatically merged: Sep 13, 2024

Of course they will, that has been the long term plan all along, where else would they fly internationally from once the second runway is completed?

Third runway actually. Dillusions of grandeur at our PER!!,

 

[TY24]

Well given that the subject was the move to T1, I don’t know why you're still talking about T3 and T4. The move to T1 which was always the plan once the second main runway was finished, is quite close

It’s 7 years away if everything goes to plan and finishes on time, and that’s after its original planned date of 2025 was pushed back during COVID. That’s far from close.

I’m talking about T3 because someone else mentioned how Perth currently doesn’t have many international destinations on QF metal, which is directly due to the size of the small, part time international wing at T3 they’ve been operating out of for the last few years.

And finally, the T3 expansion is part of the project to transition to a new terminal next to the existing T1, which is the topic of this thread, so it’s not like I’m derailing the thread with irrelevant posts.

 

[Danger]

QF reiterated its intention to make PER its second largest Intl hub after SYD, focusing on west bound flying:

“Whether it’s Africa, whether it’s Europe or Asia, we see great potential – both for Jetstar and Qantas – [for Perth] as a gateway into Australia, offering tremendous connectivity for our domestic network, but also giving us a geographic advantage.”

A $5 billion agreement between Qantas and Perth Airport will result in a new terminal and runway, at what Wallace said would become the airline’s “western hub”.
“We’ve got any number of different city pairs that the new aircraft can serve out of Perth, but also out of other ports that we can connect,” he said.

Perth to become Qantas’ second-largest international destination

The head of Qantas international says new-generation, extra-long-range aircraft will be a game-changer for the airline and make Perth the world’s gateway to Australia.

www.watoday.com.au

I know Perth is a long way from Sydney and for Qantas execs it may seem like another country, but calling Perth Qantas's second largest "international" destination is a bit much.

 

[Franky]

Yet they ply the PER to SYD route often with 737s and on many occasions flying time is longer than PER-SIN. It's awful as well!

Post automatically merged: Sep 13, 2024

Third runway actually. Dillusions of grandeur at our PER!!,

Sure, but the cross runway hardly rates as a main runway…

 

[Sprucegoose]

I actually think the ADL folks are most justified to have a moan.

I think the ADL folks do okay. They have a shiny newish airport built on the back of the Olympic Dam expansion that never proceeded. ADL is stuck in the middle of nowhere, and that fact isn't going to change. I acknowledge its contribution to establishing the telegraph in 1858 and a hearty contribution to our gastronomic food and wine culture. I believe the old Adelaideans are comfortable in their shoes. I occasionally stop by on my Westbound journeys to ensure they are as relaxed as possible.

We need to acknowledge WA does lift its weight in terms of its contribution to our GDP, so I don't begrudge their place in the sun despite the attention they are getting and possibly seeking. They don't seem to live in anybody's shadow.

Allow me to return to the topic. Perth will have to lift its game. It's not the most service-oriented place, and this 'wait-a-while culture' will need a big stick if QF places heavy reliance on its operations working smoothly there; the downside if things don't go as planned is systemic and reputational impacts to the airline. In simple terms and my experience, Perth struggles to process people quickly and does not react well to disruptions. There seems to be an attitude of 'near enough is good enough.'This will impact how the public is served with aircraft and turnaround times with minimal other options in terms of spare planes. Most international services will originate on the East Coast, head to Perth, transfer/transit, and then off Billyo. The A321XRL has a vastly improved range for a single-aisle aircraft, driving the growing importance of the West's transformation into a substantial aviation hub for the Qantas group.

I am not suggesting a cultural transplant is required (or am I?) to make it work. Still, the Qantas Board should consider what service attitudes, operational readiness, and cultural (re)alignments are required for a successful westward expansion.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Sure, but the cross runway hardly rates as a main runway…

The third runway supports operations when the wind changes - as it does from time to time. I am unfamiliar with the economic model; however, it is safe to say the cost of not having it outweighs any other costs.