Canberra airport has opened the new western concourse terminal, in the second stage of a major redevelopment of the airport.
The new terminal will be used by Virgin Australia and regional carriers, and follows a major revamp of the Qantas terminal, now known as the southern concourse, which opened in 2010.
Australia's Transport Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the opening of the new terminal, saying that passenger numbers through the airport are projected to more than double to 6.14 million over the next 20 years.
"The new terminal will help cater for the growing number of business travellers and tourists who use the airport every day, ensuring our capital city continues to reap the social and economic benefits that come with the increase in air travel," he adds.
Canberra airport says that the overall cost of the project, which commenced in 2009, is A$420 million ($433 million).
It is still working to complete international terminal facilities and to demolish the old Virgin terminal, both of which are expected to be finished in November this year.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
