Melbourne Airport Runway Plan Timing Update

Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne (APAM), operator of Melbourne Airport, has today advised that the public exhibition of the Major Development Plan for the airport’s third runway has been moved.
  
The Major Development Plan, or MDP, is a statutory obligation, and requires ministerial approval prior to the commencement of works on capital projects that meet certain criteria including a period of public exhibition. APAM had previously advised stakeholders that the plan’s public exhibition period was due to start at the beginning of December this year, however that timeline has now shifted.
  
APAM’s Chief of Aviation, Simon Gandy, said this change would see the MDP’s scheduled period of public exhibition moved into 2019, with a specific commencement date yet to be fixed.
  
“Writing an MDP is a consultative process that sees us working closely with stakeholders from regulators to airline customers to the local community. It’s important that the plan is thorough, to ensure it’s based on the best, most accurate information available – so we’re taking the appropriate time to get it right.
  
“The MDP for Melbourne Airport’s Runway Development Program needs to provide all our stakeholders with the best, most accurate information it can – so that everyone understands the benefits and impacts of the eventual development.
  
“Following initial feedback and some recent planning changes we want to take the time to ensure that this information is incorporated into the planning and development of this critical asset. We think it is appropriate to update this important information accordingly,” said Mr Gandy.
  
A third runway for Melbourne is a priority of national significance. Melbourne Airport is reaching capacity on its current crossing runway system and by 2020 demand from airlines will exceed capacity. If not addressed this constraint will become a handbrake on the Victorian economy.
  
Scheduled flight cancellations and delays are becoming increasingly frequent and recovery from delays is becoming more difficult to achieve. In 2016/17, Melbourne Airport experienced 117 weekdays with morning peak on time performance of 75 per cent or less. This will increase to almost every weekday by 2023, causing more disruption to passengers and the Australian aviation network.