Adelaide Airport’s original international terminal to be demolished for new taxi drop-off zone, hotel forecourt

ADELAIDE Airport’s original ‘tin shed’ international terminal gets demolished this week to make way for a new taxi drop-off zone and the new Atura Hotel forecourt.

• $50 million hotel to be built at Adelaide Airport
• Adelaide Airport’s $1 billion expansion

ADELAIDE Airport’s original “tin shed” international terminal building will be demolished this week to make way for new developments.

A dedicated taxi drop-off zone will ease congestion in the current drop-off area for all users. The demolition will also create space for a forecourt for the new seven-storey Atura Hotel and make room for future terminal expansions.

The old international terminal building was opened in 1982 and replaced by the current terminal in 2005.

Passengers had something of a love-hate relationship with the terminal, thrilled that it finally brought international flights to Adelaide but lamenting the basic facilities.

A Qantas jet parked at the then-new international terminal at Adelaide Airport, in October 1982.

Since 2005, it has solely been used for Rex arrivals, who from Tuesday will be bussed to the northern entrance of the main terminal and collect luggage in the main baggage hall.

Adelaide Airport managing director Mark Young said the old international building held fond, and not-so-fond, memories for many travellers.

“It was always meant to be a temporary facility with just the one aerobridge and was variously described as ‘utilitarian’ and ‘a tin shed’,” he said.

An artist’s impression of the planned Adelaide Airport Hotel.

Another artist’s impression of the Atura-branded Adelaide Airport hotel.

Passengers arriving at Adelaide first international flight in 1982 used shopping trolleys as luggage carriers.

“It quickly outgrew itself but it took another 23 years before it was replaced by the current terminal. It has played a key role in South Australia’s aviation history but we’re excited that we’re moving on to bigger and better things for our customers.”

Mr Young said the new facilities would improve the customer experience for passengers and hotel guests.

“We’ve spent more than $8 million on taxi facilities over the past decade and we’re now investing a further $4 million,” he said, adding many customers wanted an airport hotel to make catching early morning flights easier.

The hotel will have a restaurant and bar, business centre, function and meeting spaces, and a walkway linking it with domestic and international check-in areas.

Adelaide’s original international terminal

■ May 31, 1982: Construction started

■ November 2, 1982: Opened by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and Premier David Tonkin

■ November 2, 1982: First international arrival — Qantas QF18 (Boeing 747B) en route to Melbourne from London and Singapore. Passengers used grocery trolleys for luggage

■ November 4, 1982: First international departure — Qantas flight to Auckland

■ Number of aircraft bays: 2

■ Number of aerobridges: 1

■ October 7, 2005: New terminal opened