David Eyre 9 November 2013 (photos added 17 November 2013 & 7 December 2013)
Virgin Australia will relocate their current domestic operations from Terminal 3 to this new Domestic Pier at Terminal 1. Construction is now four months behind schedule and construction is now due to be completed in late October 2014. This will likely push its actual opening into January 2015, as various aspects of the new pier will need to be tested and staff training must be completed. The airline is unlikely to relocate during the busy period of Christmas 2014.
Photo © Wilson
This is the first of two aerobridges being built to enable the airport to better handle the Airbus A380. The aerobridges can also be used separately for two smaller aircraft.
The curved structures with scaffolding supports are mock-up aircraft fuselages with fake cabin doors painted on to test the aerobridges.
Photo © Wilson
In a report in The West Australian newspaper today, aviation journalist Geoffrey Thomas reported that various aspects of Perth Airport’s redevelopment at Terminal 1 (the International Terminal) are running months behind schedule.
Virgin Australia had planned to move its operations from Terminal 3 to a new domestic pier being constructed at Terminal 1 in June 2014. However, Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches has confirmed that the project is four months behind schedule and construction is now due to be completed in late October 2014. This will likely push its actual opening into January 2015, as various aspects of the new pier will need to be tested and staff training must be completed. The airline is unlikely to relocate during the busy period of Christmas 2014.
In addition, an Airbus A380 gate is also delayed. It was supposed to be completed in June 2013, but will not be completed until the end of 2013 and following testing, should be ready in March 2014. Emirates had earlier indicated that it would replace at least one of its three daily Boeing 777 services to Dubai with the A380, but these plans have not yet been confirmed.
The new International Terminal arrivals complex is also behind schedule, partly due to construction occurring whilst the area is still operational, and also due to increasing passenger numbers.
