Brisbane Airport’s runway upgrade will increase late night flights over residential areas
Residents are being warned of more flight noise in the dead of the night after a project to upgrade Brisbane Airport’s original runway was given the go ahead.
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Brisbane Airport will embark on a three-month runway restoration project which will likely increase late night flights over residential areas in the short term.
The airport’s original runway requires major upgrade work, meaning about 30 flights a day will be redirected onto the newer second runway.
While most of those planes will soar over Moreton Bay - which creates less noise issues for residents living in the airport flight path - the project comes with a caveat that some international flights, including some late at night and early in the morning, will travel over residential areas.
Airport noise has been a long-running gripe for residents living under the flight path and the issue is set to ignite at a Federal Senate Inquiry hearing scheduled to take place in Brisbane on Monday.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan De Graaff said it was unfortunate residents might be affected by the project, but it was “essential” the upgrade takes place.
“We understand that this will affect some people living in nearby communities and we apologise for that, but this is essential work to keep us all safe and connected to the world,” he said.
Built about 40 years ago, the original runway features 18 slabs of concrete at either end which carry the load of planes waiting to take off.
The project will replace those slabs, which means the 3.5km runway will be shortened to about 2.7km.
The difference will have no impact on most domestic flights, but larger aircraft which need more runway room for takeoffs and landings, typically used for international flights, will be diverted to the new runway.
It is expected to affect about 30 flights a day, with a handful of those operating in the 10pm-6am period.
Brisbane Airport spokesman Peter Doherty said the project had been planned to minimise disruption, with the winter months chosen due to the traditionally dryer weather that should result in fewer construction delays.
“Halting international travel isn’t an option for Queenslanders, our tourism industry, or exporters,” he said.
“We all remember the impact of closing Queensland during the pandemic. This connectivity is essential for our State.
“It’s taken two years to rebuild the list of international destinations on offer to Queenslanders, now back to 30 direct locations from 26 international airlines.”
Work will begin on June 24 and continue for 12 weeks and is expected to be completed in September, weather permitting.
The upgrade is part of the $5 billion Future BNE program of more than 150 projects transforming the airport over the next decade.
A public hearing of the Federal Senate inquiry into the impact of airport noise will be held at Morningside on Monday, featuring evidence from resident groups, Brisbane Airport Corporation, major airlines and representatives from the tourism industry.
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Originally published as Brisbane Airport’s runway upgrade will increase late night flights over residential areas
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