Australia’s federal government has approved plans to develop a third runway at Melbourne Airport, a move that shippers say will help boost exports.
The 3,000 m runway will be built parallel and 1.3 km to the west of the existing north-south runway, along with new taxiways and other enabling infrastructure.
When it opens in 2031, the parallel runway system will increase the airport’s capacity by allowing for simultaneous take-offs and landings, which “will help reduce delays and give existing airlines and new entrants the infrastructure they need to grow”, the airport said.
The news was welcomed by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), which said the expansion would create an economic boom for Victoria’s agriculture industry.
VFF president Emma Germano said: “Victorian produce has never been in so demand in the global market and it’s critical infrastructure such as Melbourne Airport that ensures we retain our mantle as Australia’s most valuable agriculture exporting state.
“The extra capacity that a third runway brings means new jobs are created in the agricultural supply chain and our produce remains competitive on the domestic and international market.”
The VFF said that 30% of the nation’s airfreight market has flowed through Melbourne over the past decade, with Victorian produce constituting a significant portion of these exports.
In 2023-24, the value of food and fibre exports through Melbourne totalled $1.65bn, representing nearly 10% of the state’s agricultural exports by value, Germano said.
In 2023-24, Victoria exported more than $19bn worth of food and fibre. Key exports transiting through Melbourne Airport include dairy, meat, vegetables, fruits and nut products.
The largest export markets include China, the US, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia.
Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said the new runway would benefit Australian travellers and exporters for decades to come.
“Australia’s vast distances and Melbourne’s position on the globe mean demand for air access will continue to grow as our population increases,” she said.
“The new north-south runway will ensure Victoria’s primary international gateway has adequate capacity to serve the state’s needs for future generations.
“Sydney and Brisbane already operate parallel runway systems, so this will ensure that Melbourne does not become a handbrake on the national air network or the national economy.”
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