Launceston Airport has unveiled its $20 million redevelopment of its passenger terminal, which could see an increase in services from Jetstar and Tiger due to a pricing dispute at Hobart Airport.
The upgraded terminal, which was opened on March 12 by Tasmanian premier David Bartlett, has double the floor space of the previous facility, and features new baggage carousels and new retail outlets. The arrivals and departures areas have also been moved to opposite ends of the terminal, which improves passenger efficiency.
Speaking at the opening, Australia Pacific Airports Corporation CEO Chris Woodruff said that the additional capacity would allow Launceston to accept more flights from Jetstar and Tiger, which are facing a $4 increase in passenger charges at Hobart Airport and are threatening to limit their services there. “They will absolutely come here if they get a bit angry with Hobart Airport, and we are ready to welcome them with the opening today of our new terminal,” he said.
“We’ve got double the capacity that we had a few days ago, so we stand ready, willing and able to take any airline that wants to leave Hobart and come and serve the greater community up in the north of the island.”
