Four aerobridges will be installed at Gold Coast Airport (GCA) this week, in the latest stage of the Australian airport’s terminal expansion project.
The aerobridges will be installed by a dual 150 tonne crane lift one at a time – from the northern to southern end of the terminal expansion. Each one takes several hours to install and requires a team of about ten people.
The aerobridges each weigh 31 tonnes and measure 22m on arrival, extending to 40m when in place. As part of the installation process, they will be connected to large hold-down bolts, which measure 2m by 1.4m.
According to Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills, passengers will get a better understanding of the future look, feel and operation of the terminal once the aerobridges are in place.
“The aerobridges are a central part of the development and when people see them, they will get a good idea of how the passenger experience is going to change from next year with the terminal expansion complete,” he said.
Mills added that frequent visitors to the Gold Coast had been unaware of the 30,000m2 terminal expansion throughout construction because of extremely low passenger numbers at the airport – but that was about to change.
“As we welcome back a significant number of passengers from New South Wales [NSW], Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory next month, they will be able to see all the work that has been going on at GCA since they were gone,” he said.
The glass aerobridges, which feature a green glass tint, will be used for both international and domestic flights, will deliver views of the spectacular Gold Coast and northern NSW region for arriving and departing passengers.
The terminal expansion will deliver a significant change in space and experience for passengers when it opens next year. The three-level expansion will double the terminal footprint and includes additional retail space, and new boarding facilities, a large departure lounge, baggage handling and border control facilities.
