Perth Airport is preparing for take-off with a multi-billion dollar transformation set to create an entire city around the State’s busiest gateway.
The “once-in-a-generation” program for a “One Airport” was released for public comment on October 1.
The Perth Airport Draft Masterplan 2026 outlines a $5 billion program to diversify the airport beyond aviation and transform it into a property, hospitality and commerce hub.
The 20-year vision proposes a “city at the airport” model which “integrates Perth Airport’s infrastructure with a variety of commercial, industrial, and cultural facilities”.
Under the new plan, the 2105ha estate, 12km east of the CBD, will become a “multi-precinct” destination with a new 237-room hotel, two multi-storey carparks, improvements to the road network, an expansion of Terminal 2, a new 3000m runway parallel to the existing main runway, expansion of Terminal 1 International and new domestic terminal facilities.
Camera IconAn artist’s impression of the airport’s commercial hub. Credit: Perth AirportCamera IconA 237-room hotel is proposed as part of the plans. Credit: Perth Airport Masterplan 2026
The masterplan forecasts that its workforce, both direct and indirect jobs, will nearly triple from 27,300 in 2024 to 75,400 by 2046, with the airport’s annual contribution to WA’s economy set to surge from $6.2 billion in 2024 to $17 billion by 2046.
Major commercial, industrial and retail developments are included in the plans. New property development opportunities in the areas surrounding the airport were included in the masterplan.
The plans expand on the Redcliffe Metro Development Area, a 274ha site west of the airport serviced by Metronet that is envisaged to serve as a diverse tourism, leisure and employment hub.
Camera IconAn artist’s impression of the western multi-storey car park. Credit: Perth Airport
The southern area will focus on airport support services and the northern area industrial and logistics operations, which each area being flexible for future commercial use.
Perth Airport chief executive Jason Waters said the project marked the beginning of “the largest private investment in infrastructure in Perth’s history”.
“Perth Airport is already a major generator of jobs and economic growth in WA,” Mr Waters said.
Camera IconPerth Airport CEO Jason Waters. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The Sunday Times
“We have begun work on the largest private investment in infrastructure in Perth’s history, which will be delivered over the course of this five-year plan.
“We are now delivering a once-in-a-generation construction program that will completely change the face of Perth Airport and take WA into the future.”
Mr Waters said the project would “unlock the full potential of the resources sector and its extraordinary pipeline of new projects worth more than $100 billion”.
“It will create a vast array of new tourism, business and trade opportunities for WA and deliver new property development opportunities on the airport estate,” he said.
Camera IconThe plan marks out five airport precincts. Credit: Perth Airport
“Most importantly it will provide Western Australians with a world class travel experience within ‘One Airport’ and deliver our airline partners the capacity and efficiencies they need to grow their businesses.”
The plan designates five property precincts across a 250-hectare estate which will feature a retail and lifestyle hub, an office campus, industrial zones, commercial developments and aviation support facilities.
Work is already progressing across the estate, including the expansion of Terminal 2, which is scheduled for completion next year, and two new multi-storey carparks.
Camera IconAn artist’s impression of the future consolidated Airport Central precinct. Credit: Perth Airport
A 237-room Accor hotel is scheduled to open in 2027, while the new 3000-metre parallel runway is expected to become operational by 2028.
The final stages of the development will involve the construction of a new domestic terminal for Qantas Group operations and a major terminal expansion planned for around 2031.
The Perth Airport Master Plan 2026 is open for public comment for 60 days. Comments can be submitted online or in person.
