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It’s been a while in the works, but just in time for summer holiday season, Melbourne Airport has officially opened its new Pick up and Drop off zones – along with a new $500-million road network designed to make getting to the terminals a little less chaotic. It’s the biggest change to the airport’s layout since it opened in 1970, but it’s likely to take a little getting used to.
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The new set-up officially opened early this week, with passengers flying on Qantas, Virgin Australia and international services now using the new zones in the T123 Transport Hub. There’s also a new dedicated exit from the Tullamarine Freeway, so your usual airport drive is going to look a little different. The big one to remember? You’ll now need to leave the Tullamarine Freeway earlier, at Exit 19 (Naarm Way), to access the new elevated roadway to Pick up and Drop off for all airlines.
The new Drop off zone has been designed to tackle congestion on the old departures ramp, with more lanes and almost twice as many bays. And if you’re being picked up rather than dropped off, there’s an even bigger upgrade: the new undercover Pick up zone has 115 drive-in, drive-out bays, almost three times the number in the old forecourt. There’s seating and toilets nearby, too, meaning arriving passengers can wait undercover while their ride makes their way through. The new precinct also comes with a 19-metre-wide bridge (featuring artwork celebrating the local Wurundjeri people) connecting the T123 Transport Hub to the terminals. The changes are also about more than making airport drop-offs and pick-ups less of a headache, with the new road network clearing the way for a $4.5 billion expansion of the international terminal.
Over the coming weeks, the airport has factored in extra staff and volunteers to help travellers get their bearings. And while the whole point of the new setup is to make things smoother in the long run, Melbourne Airport is warning travellers to allow extra time while everyone gets used to the new layout. For anyone who needs a little extra assistance getting around, Melbourne Airport has also expanded its Melbourne Airport Assist service, with operating hours now stretching from 3am to 1am.
If you’re heading to the airport soon, this is your reminder to re-check your route. Take Exit 19 (Naarm Way) and give yourself a little extra time to navigate Melbourne Airport’s new front door. You can learn more over here.