Future Aviation: Airport boss reveals vision for Brisbane

Airports were once a bland, forgettable place that rarely offered travellers a good experience. That’s all changed in the past decade, and Brisbane Airport’s CEO says there is more to come.

Around 50 years ago, when flying began to become more mainstream, airports were strategically built to meet the basic operational needs of airlines first.

In the decades after that, as air travel dramatically transformed into a sleeker, faster, quieter and more comfortable mode of travel, still the form and function of airports generally remained practical, often bland, forgettable, and only rarely offering much to make a passenger smile.

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After privatisation in 1997, however, things changed rapidly at Brisbane Airport and the winner has been the travelling public and the community at large.

Brisbane Airport Corporation, which is predominantly owned by Australian superannuation funds and investors, knows well that our future success and growth comes not from more than just ‘adequate’ facilities, it comes from striving to provide amenities, services and opportunities that the people of Queensland can be proud of.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff.

The money we have invested in the airport over the past 22 years, totalling more than $4 billion, has transformed Brisbane Airport into one of the world’s top 20, as voted by passengers, from an estimated 40,000 airports listed by ICAO. Forty thousand!

And every single dollar Brisbane Airport Corporation invests into the airport has a ripple effect on the broader economy.

We strike complex and detailed agreements with airlines for more flights, new destinations and the latest aircraft, while funding joint marketing agreements with tourism, trade and government to promote our city and state.

Our name may be Brisbane Airport, but we are truly Queensland’s airport, the major gateway to our beautiful state.

Gold Coast resident Elsie Anderson at the Brisbane’s international terminal. Picture: Annette Dew

Beyond commercial endeavours we are industry leaders in environmental sustainability and have participated in world first trials and studies from biofuels to seamless security. We’re an enthusiastic supporter of the Queensland arts sector, an active philanthropist and we back the major events that attract so many visitors.

BAC’s vision for Brisbane Airport is: Connect the world. Create the future.

When I think about the future of Brisbane Airport, I think of greater connections with our community so together we can create the best gateway for Australia. I think of being an active community advocate and a supportive and collaborative partner for everything important to the people of Brisbane and Queensland. This is truly at the heart of my vision for Brisbane Airport.

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With Brisbane’s new runway soon to open, world class facilities, seamless transfers, better connections, new airlines, new destinations, next generation aircraft and the best domestic network in Australia, coupled with Queensland’s world-renowned natural assets, glorious weather, reputation for safety and the friendly and welcoming local people, Brisbane will absolutely be the best gateway for Australia, and continue to be an enabler of economic, social and cultural life for Queenslanders.

We know the decisions we make today will create the future we live in tomorrow. It’s not just Brisbane Airport’s future, it’s the future of the city, the region and the state.