Sydney T1 expansion to enhance retail offer

Gavin Lipsith

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Owner Macquarie Airports tells RavenFox.com it will market new retail opportunities at the expanded facility soon

Sydney International airport has begun a major project to reconfigure and expand international terminal one, with retail space set to grow by 3,400sq m (36,597sq ft) to 22,000sq m (236,806sq ft). The A$500m ($444.5m) upgrade, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009, will include a new 7,800sq m (83,985sq ft) walk-through duty-free store to be operated by The Nuance Group, and airport owner Macquarie Airports told RavenFox.com it would be ready to market other retail opportunities soon.

The project removes the duplication of processing and retailing on piers B and C to create a centralised airside space to process passengers more efficiently. Macquarie Airports associate director Doug Benham said that the project “will result in an increase in dwell space for the 75% of Sydney’s international passengers who do not have access to a lounge”. He added: “The aim is to attract a wide range of quality retailers to Sydney and the airport will be marketing the available opportunities to retailers who would be interested in operating there very soon.”

Other improvements will include new baggage handling systems for arriving and departing passengers as well as aerobridges and taxiway improvements to accommodate a wider range of aircraft. 

Sydney Airport CEO Russell Balding said: “This is an important project for us, but it is also a strategically important project for Sydney and the Australian tourism industry. Sydney handles nearly half of the nation's international passengers. It will mean a better travel experience with improved facilities for passengers and centralised processing through immigration. The new look terminal will leave visitors with a positive impression of Sydney.”

The expansion is needed to manage the increasing number of international passengers. Last financial year there were 10 million and in the past five years the number of international passengers has increased by 25%. By 2023-24, Sydney is expected to be handling more than 20m international passengers.