Canberra International Airport managing director Stephen Byron has told a New South Wales Transport summit that he expects Canberra to handle more flights as Sydney Airport approaches capacity, and has also cast doubt on a new second airport for the Sydney region.
“There probably never will be a true second Sydney Airport – rather a number of existing airports will handle some elements of Sydney’s growth, some elements of Sydney’s aviation demand,” he said.
While Byron noted that Newcastle, Bankstown and Richmond would play logical roles in relieving pressure at Sydney Airport in future years, he said that, “Canberra will shoulder the greatest share of that growth over time.”
Byron’s comments come as speculation on a second Sydney airport has been growing ahead of the release of the federal government’s aviation White Paper, which is expected to be released in December.
