An inter-terminal monorail is on the cards for Brisbane Airport, with the proposed transport system part of the 2014 Master Plan released today.
Operating to transfer passengers between domestic and international flights, the proposed monorail line also links to the Skygate shopping district – a welcome hangout for passengers with long connection times.
The existing parallel runway project is predicted to propel the airport to nearly 1,000 flights each day, reaching the current size of Singapore, Hong Kong and Amsterdam’s Schipol by 2034.
While the airport will rely on bus transfers in the short term, a Mass Transit System (MTS) is earmarked for construction between 2019 and 2024, with the elevated monorail a possible contender.
Although mooted in the airport's Master Plan, a Brisbane Airport Corporation spokeswoman was quick to highlight to Australian Business Traveller that "the mass ground transit plan detailed in BNE’s draft Master Plan is conceptual only at this time.
"It is one of many options BNE is looking at to manage the expected growth over the next 20 years."
Also highlighted in the Master Plan is an extra passenger terminal for both domestic and international flights, to be located in the vast space between the existing terminals.
It’s also proposed that the domestic terminal will more than double in size, with the addition of remote gate lounges aimed at regional and low-cost airlines.
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
inb4 simpsons reference
"The monorail is more of a Shelbyville idea."
I think it sounds good - especially new terminals - but the idea of remote lounges for regional flights is a bit scary. LCCs, sure, but not full-service regional.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Dec 2012
Total posts 170
"I've sold monorails in Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook and by gum it put them on the map!"
Agree sounds good, I guess if the MTS and terminals are well planned and designed, the regional terminals may only be remote in name.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
I'd like to see how it develops, though. Is there a map? :O
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
It is April the first so you have to be wary about mono rail stories on a day like today.
Although news.com and fairfax are reporting it as well so if this is a hoax it is an elaborate one.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 462
While a monorail will be great as with most everything related to Australian airports.Just how much will they screw us in charges for a few mins ride from terminal to terminal.Most major world airports make this complimentary
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
It can be complimentary for boarding pass holders, as with the train (VA) and bus (QF).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 462
Watson,
Your right it can be,but their is absolutly nothing in the submitted documents that says it will.In fact it appears it will user pays from BAC own statements....REVENUE. I suspect the airlines will come to some arrangement or buy back as the do now with airtrain.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Sure, they can do a cross-payment deal too.
10 Mar 2012
Total posts 6
I thought this was clearly an April Fools, clearly not since Brisbane Times reported the story as well 19 hours ago. Well done Brisbane airport!
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
I hear those things are awfully loud.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
Melbourne airport is the best – unlike Sydney and Brisbane one does not need ride a bus to get from domestic to international and back.
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
The weird part is that at BNE it's a totally unforced error to have them separated.
At SYD, it was kinda forced by the layout of the airport and the fact that they weren't planning far enough ahead when they built the airport in the 1920s. The two terminals are on the only two bits of land which are big enough to hold them, and they happen to be separated by the runway.
At BNE though, I don't see any reason on the map why the domestic and international terminals couldn't join up, there's plenty of spare land with nothing important-looking on it right in between the terminals.
The international terminal is only 19 years old, does anyone remember the reason that they put it in this silly remote location?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
It's in a better location than the old BNE int, which was on the other side of the runway and closer to the old Pinkenba railway line (there was even an "Airport" station, now long gone).
Nevertheless the gap between dom and int is sort of a clever mistake, allows for plenty of expansion between the two. BNE will be a monster in around ten years if it can remain curfew-free.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
inb4 SACL
BNE is overpowered, nerf please
VA
17 Dec 2013
Total posts 47
Who is the Brisbane Lord Mayor these days ? Has Quimby migrated ? Is Clive Palmer involved in this ? Please tell me Clive Palmer is involved.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 458
About Time.They should while at it offer it as a service between Brisbane Airport and Surfers Paradise and the upper part of the Gold Coast.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Apr 2011
Total posts 106
"a Mass Transit System (MTS) is earmarked for construction between 2019 and 2024". Geeze Louise & be still my beating heart - only another 5 to however many years of catching the bus/train/taxi between the terminals. With a bit of luck I may live to see whatever is constructed & ditto for a railway line to Melbourne Airport as well. Why do needed improvements in aviation (& lots of other infrastructure projects) take so long to happen in Australia? Rhetorical question, no responses necessary from anyone except The Real Babushka ;-)
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