Airports need to be planned years in advance. The decisions made today shape how smoothly people will travel for decades to come.
Our Third Runway Project is part of that forward planning. It sits within the our 20-year Master Plan and is governed by a Major Development Plan, which was approved by the Federal Government in September 2024. Together, these plans guide when and how new infrastructure is built and detail the airport’s growth plans over time.
The goal is straightforward: to make sure we can handle more flights and more travellers to meet the growth we know is coming. For travellers, that means an airport that continues to run reliably, even as demand increases.
How does the new runway improve the travel experience?
Most travellers don’t often think about what’s happening behind the scenes at an airport, and that’s usually a good sign. When systems are working well, trips feel straightforward and predictable.
The new runway is designed to make that kind of experience more common, even on busy days.
Here’s how it can improve your trip:
Fewer delays even when the airport is at its busiest. When an airport has limited capacity for planes to take off and land, delays can build quickly, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon, which are the busiest times at Melbourne Airport. A new runway helps reduce queues on the ground and waiting time in the air. That means flights are more likely to depart and arrive close to schedule.
More flights and better options. With another runway, airlines can schedule more services across the day. Over time, this makes it easier to add new routes or offer better departure times, giving travellers more choice when planning a trip.
Better conditions for more competitive fares. When airlines can add flights and compete on popular routes, it can put downward pressure on prices. While fares always depend on demand, added capacity creates a healthier environment for competition.
Overall, the third runway helps the airport manage busy periods more smoothly. For travellers, that translates into a calmer, more predictable passenger experience.
How will the expansion increase capacity for airlines and routes?
We already handle some of the busiest flight routes in Australia, including six of the 10 busiest flight routes in the country. Demand continues to grow, too. By 2042, we’re expecting up to 76 million domestic and international passengers a year. To support that growth without increasing delays, the airport needs more capacity for aircraft to take off and land.
Right now, we rely on intersecting runways. Because those runways cross each other, only one plane can take off or land at a time. This limits how many flights can arrive or depart across the day.
The new north-south runway changes that. Positioned 1.3 kilometres to the west of the existing north-south runway, it will create what’s called a parallel runway system. In other words, it means two runways sitting side-by-side that can be used at the same time.
The new runway will be 3,000 metres long, making it suitable for both domestic and long-haul international services. Once operational, we expect it to support around 136,500 additional flights each year. But this will be a gradual ramp-up as demand grows.
The existing east-west runway will continue to be used outside of peak periods, but the extra north-south runway gives the airport the capacity it needs to keep up with growing demand.
How does the airport expansion support Victoria’s visitor and tourism economy?
Melbourne Airport is often the first and last stop for people visiting Victoria. While most of these travellers probably won’t spend much time thinking about the impacts of a third runway, the benefits will flow well beyond the terminal and into the visitor economy.
More travellers coming through the airport means more people eating in restaurants, staying in hotels, attending events and travelling to regional destinations. That steady flow of visitors helps tourism businesses plan ahead and invest with confidence.
Here’s how our expansion supports the visitor economy across Victoria:
More visitors spending locally. As flight numbers grow, so does visitor spending across the state. This spending supports jobs in hospitality, accommodation, tours, and major events across both Melbourne and regional areas.
Stronger links between cities and regions. Additional flights make it easier for airlines to offer more frequent and competitive services between Melbourne and other cities, including Sydney, Brisbane and regional destinations. These connections support both inbound tourism and the ability for Victorians to travel more easily around the country.
Jobs across tourism and service industries. While construction of the new runway will create jobs on site, there’s also a wider impact across the tourism and service sectors. As passenger numbers grow, demand increases for workers in hotels, restaurants, transport services, cleaning, retail and airport support roles.
More options for long-haul travel. Additional runway space allows more aircraft to operate more frequently. Over time, this makes it easier to support long-haul routes and connections to a broader range of destinations, giving travellers more choice when planning international trips.
Around 23,000 people currently work in the airport precinct. And thanks to the added capacity of a third runway, we’re expecting around 37,000 additional jobs across Victoria by 2046, along with billions of dollars in extra economic activity each year. For travellers, that translates into more flight options, better services and a tourism sector that can invest for the long term.
A better-connected airport doesn’t just benefit visitors. It supports local businesses, regional tourism and the wider economy, creating a travel system that works well for everyone who relies on it.
Stay updated as Melbourne Airport shapes future travel
Major projects don't just change the airport – they shape how people travel, the jobs that support the airport and the services travellers rely on every day. As Melbourne Airport grows, investment in runways, terminals, baggage systems and transport links helps support a smoother, more reliable travel experience over time.
To stay across what’s happening at the airport, sign up for updates, send us an email at newrunway@melair.com.au or browse the videos and fact sheets on the Major Projects Hub.