Virgin Australia & Sydney Airport open upgraded T2 terminal

Virgin Australia has opened the extension to its dedicated T2 pier at Sydney Airport, enabling the airline to handle more aircraft – and larger aircraft such as its Airbus A330s – from the terminal.

With 14 gates up from the previous nine, four are capable of serving the Airbus A330 and other widebody jets.

In announcing the plans earlier this year, Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti noted that "with 8 million Virgin Australia guests travelling through every year, providing a seamless first-rate experience at Sydney Airport is critical to Virgin Australia."

"The enhancements announced today [26 April] will enable us to do just that, establishing Sydney as our flagship domestic lounge and offering guests more spacious and comfortable terminal facilities. The pier expansion will also allow us to provide additional flight frequencies for our guests, with more positions for narrow and wide body aircraft”.

Read: Virgin Australia's new Sydney lounge is now open

The T2 terminal itself has gained 4,500m² of space, with Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather observing today that "as part of the T2 upgrade, we have also widened the passenger concourse along Pier A of T2."

"This has allowed us additional space to improve passenger circulation and upgrade our retail offering, with new Sunglass Hut, Witchery, Tech2Go and Edge stores opening this week."

“Work will continue on the ground floor, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2013 and a refurbishment of the food court will commence over the next 12 months."

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David Flynn

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.