Adelaide Airport is set to undergo major upgrades to meet growing passenger demand, including an expansion of the international and domestic terminal.
The airport serves as South Australia’s principal passenger airport, accommodating both domestic and international trel from a single terminal. A series of upgrades aimed at increasing the airport’s capacity, improving spatial functionality and delivering a more efficient trel experience he commenced as part of an overarching $600 million development called Project Flight.
Managing director of Adelaide Airport Brenton Cox said, “Passenger numbers are at record levels, and we are planning for that airline connectivity to continue to grow – so we are also continuing to deliver the infrastructure required to accommodate that growth.”
As part of the program of works, the northern end of the terminal will be expanded by 10,000 square metres, the southern end of the terminal by more than 5,500 square metres and the check-in hall by more than 1,500 square metres.
A sensory space conceived by Woods Bagot “as a zone for calm and pause” will be introduced within the terminal.
Image: Woods Bagot
The overarching design team encompasses Baukultur, Populous, Woods Bagot, Aurecon and TCL. Baukultur and Populous are responsible for the design of the check-in hall, as well as the terminal expansion. Woods Bagot is leading the design of the passenger experience enhancement projects, including new gate lounges, family dining and play spaces, and a sensory room. Aurecon is appointed as lead design consultant on all three apron expansion projects, while TCL is responsible for landscape and playground design.
According to Hayley Packer, a senior associate at Woods Bagot, the project team drew on passenger profile data for the passenger experience enhancement projects. “From the gate lounges to the sensory room, the design has considered a spectrum of user needs, catering for moments of intrigue and delight through to highly functional operational requirements.”
Woods Bagot’s scope will also include a play space.
Image: Woods Bagot
Construction on the check-in expansion has commenced. The expansion to the northern end of the terminal is scheduled to begin in early 2026 while the southern-end terminal works are planned for early 2027. Project Flight is anticipated to be complete in mid-2028.