PERTH MAKES PLANS FOR A CITY AT THE AIRPORT
08 Oct 2025
A multi-billion-dollar plan to create a “city at the airport” has been unveiled as Perth Airport turns its development sights beyond aviation. The updated Master Plan 2026 is a “long-held vision” of One Airport, integrating all domestic and international commercial flights into a single, expanded airport facility and cementing its position as one of the most important assets in Western Australia.
The Perth Airport Master Plan 2026 went on exhibition on October 1 detailing the its investment program, which was billed at $5 billion last year and is tipped to go higher. The release of the master plan comes as the airport nears completion of an expansion of Terminal 2, which is expected to be finished in 2026.
Perth Airport chief executive Jason Waters said there was enormous potential for this project and its surroundings. “We have begun work on the largest private investment in infrastructure in Perth’s history, which will be delivered over the course of this five-year plan,” Waters said.
The Perth Airport Master Plan 2026 outlines a multi-billion-dollar investment program that will deliver:
- Two multi-storey car parks and improvements to the road network.
- An expansion of Terminal 2.
- A new 3,000m runway located parallel to the existing main runway.
- An expansion of Terminal 1 International and new domestic terminal facilities for Qantas Group operations.
Outside of aviation infrastructure, the plan’s vision is to create an "airport city", “integrating Perth Airport’s infrastructure with a variety of commercial, industrial and cultural facilities”.
A new hotel, set to begin construction next year, will be operated by Accor under the Pullman Hotels and Resorts brand. With development plans approved back in 2025, the 237-room hotel will be located within the Airport Central precinct, and will include a wellness centre, swimming pool, meeting and conference rooms, alongside a range of food and beverage offerings, all within a landscaped setting.
The entire redevelopment is scheduled to be operational following the completion of the new terminal in 2031, and after Qantas operations are consolidated to the central airport precinct; both Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 buildings are set to be decommissioned. With a total of 2,105 hectares of land within the Perth Airport estate, the transition of passenger operations and aviation support facilities from T3 and T4 for the Airport Central precinct allows for the transformation of the Airport West precinct into a “vibrant commercial hub, featuring office, education, retail, and leisure developments”.
The Master Plan 2026 also details a range of commitments by the airport to ensure that its growth is responsible and sustainable. “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and the Master Plan confirms our commitment to Net Zero by 2032 – aligning with the delivery of the major capital projects portfolio,” said Waters.
According to the masterplan, the works will be progressed in stages, beginning with the first car park and the new runway. Construction of the hotel is slated to commence after the initial car park is finished, in mid-2026, while works on the new terminal and second car park are expected to begin in mid-2027.
