The Federal Government has approved Bankstown Airport’s 2015 Master Plan, which charts the airport’s proposed development and operational growth over the next two decades.
Bankstown Airport chief executive Colin Grove said the master plan, which was submitted in late 2014, detailed proposed runway and lighting upgrades, as well as new hangars.
“The approved Master Plan contains initiatives to boost investment, employment and improve aviation safety,” Grove said in a statement on Monday.
Like the 2005 edition, the 2015 preliminary draft master plan also foreshadowed the start of regular public transport services from Bankstown Airport to other capital and regional cities using 35- to 50-seat aircraft.
The airport forecast 12 aircraft movements a day – six departures and six arrivals – which was “comparable to that presented in the 2005 Master Plan”.
“While the market potential remains, to date, Bankstown Airport has been unable to develop this market,” the 2015 draft master plan said.
“Analysis of the market suggests that potential passenger services would most likely be a premium product that exploits the convenience the Airport offers in terms of reduced travel time, especially in relation to destinations in the growing Western Sydney Region, and streamlined passenger processing.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said in a statement the airport was required to publish the final master plan within 50 days.
The Minister’s statement said no increase to the current provision for RPT flights was proposed.
Meanwhile, the airport has forecast 1.5 per cent annual passenger growth from 2015/16 to 2020/21. Passenger traffic declined from 367,170 in 2007/08 to 220,294 in 2012/13.
