Perth Airport is the international and regional gateway to Western Australia. Strategically located as one of Australia's closest airports to South East Asia, Europe and Africa, Perth Airport is Australia's fourth largest airport in terms of passenger traffic.

Located only 12 km from the heart of Perth, the airport is part of a 2,105 hectare site, which has the capacity to expand to meet projected commercial aviation demand well into the 21st century.

As the international, and regional gateway to Western Australia for commercial aircraft, freight and passengers, Perth Airport is a key contributor to the State's economy.

A 1999 economic impact study showed that the airport contributes $900 million each year in salaries and wages, and provides direct and indirect employment of almost 17,500 jobs. (Economic impacts associated with Perth Airport - October 1999.)

History

In early 1942, the area on which Perth Airport is now located was converted from the Dunreath golf course to an RAAF base, which operated until the end of World War II in 1945.

The first runway was built by Western Australias Main Roads Department for RAAF fighters in 1943, with a second strip being laid down a year later. In 1944, the Government agreed to allow Australian National Airways (ANA) and Qantas to operate from this site in Guildford, as Maylands had become inadequate for their larger commercial aircraft.

Guildford Aerodrome officially changed its status and name to Perth Airport in September 1952. In March 1953, the then new international terminal was completed at a cost of $180,000, being built from second-hand wartime materials. The main domestic airlines moved out of their separate hangars in 1962 and into the first combined domestic and international terminal.

In November 1980, the Federal Transport Minister, Ralph Hunt, announced a new international terminal would be built in Perth and on October 25, 1986, Prime Minister Bob Hawke unveiled the $60 million international terminal complex on the eastern side of the airport, complete with a new control tower.

The Federal Airports Corporation (FAC) was formed in 1988 to manage the larger Australian airports as self-funding commercial entities. FAC implemented a major enhancement of retail outlets at the international terminal and oversaw the redevelopment of the domestic terminal facilities by Ansett and Australian Airlines.

Photo credit: Rob Slater, Champagne PC Services (Click on the photo to enlarge)

In July 1997, Westralia Airports Corporation (WAC) took up a 99-year leasehold interest over Perth Airport as part of the first phase in the privatisation of airports in Australia, and has since operated the airport and its 2,105 hectare estate.

Perth Airport
ACN 077 153 130
ABN 24 077 153 130

PO Box 6, Cloverdale
Perth WA 6985
Australia

Contact Numbers
Telephone: +61 8 9478 8888
Fax: +61 8 9277 7537

Email: perthairport at wac com au

URL: www.perthairport.com

Photo credit: Dane Stead - Finals Runway 24

 

Photo credit: Dane Stead - Domestic Apron

Runway 03/21

11299 x 148 feet
3444 x 45 meters

Runway 06/24

7096 x 148 feet
2163 x 45 meters

Navaids

Navaids

The content above was published at Airports-Worldwide.com in 2004-2006.
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