Canberra Airport opens new Virgin Australia terminal, lounges this week
By David Flynn, March 11 2013
Canberra Airport is set to showcase a fresh look for the nation's capital when it opens the second wing of its revamped terminal this Wednesday, March 13.
Ceremonies will begin at 9.30am in the new Virgin Australia lounge, one of two new lounges for the Qantas challenger (the other being The Club, Virgin's invitation-only lounge which the airline would rather not talk about.)
Update: We've now got photos galore of Virgin Australia's new Canberra lounge
Built as part of the airport's ambitious 'AirVolution' upgrade, the terminal's new western concourse will be home to Virgin Australia and regional airlines, and follows the 2010 opening of the southern concourse used by Qantas.
The western concourse also contains space for customs, immigration and quarantine facilities to be introduced when Canberra Airport adds international flights to its current domestic-only services.
The terminal's new western concourse wing will equipped with five additional aerobridges – all air-conditioned and built with floor-to-ceiling glass – a doubling of the passenger screening area, and 12 additional check-in counters to meet current and future demand.
The southern and western wings will be joined by a soaring three-storey glass atrium with a view of the runway as well as the landscaped gardens in front the terminal.
"Unlike other airports, where you see check-in counters as you enter, passengers at Canberra Airport will be welcomed by views of the waiting aircraft" the airport boasts.
Other improvements rolled out as part of the $450m investment include upgraded runways and aprons capable of handling an Airbus A380, multi-level car parks, an indoor taxi rank and a two level dual-lane roadway.
Australian Business Traveller will be attending the opening on the Canberra Airport's new western concourse this Wednesday – keep an eye on our @AusBT Twitter feed for photos of the airport plus the new Virgin Australia lounge.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
01 Mar 2012
Total posts 177
I am now actually looking forward to my next trip to Canberra!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 211
Looking forward to my next visit to Canberra. Even with only half of the terminal opened it was a vaste improvement on the old terminals. This can only make it better.
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