Coronavirus’ impact set to change Tullamarine forever through no-touch technology
Travellers would be able to walk from their cars to the plane with almost no physical contact under a hi-tech vision for Melbourne Airport’s future through post-coronavirus travel and beyond.
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Travellers would be able to walk out of their cars on to the plane with almost no physical contact under a hi-tech vision for Melbourne Airport.
Chief executive Lyell Strambi, who on Wednesday celebrated the Tullamarine site’s 50th anniversary, said the future of the industry would be touchless as new technology removed the need for lengthy customs and security procedures.
“The things that are science fiction today will be a fact tomorrow,” he said.
“I would hope for a more touchless experience and we should be doing the same with border control by doing away with some of the manual processes
“Use of technology throughout the airport is something that has really changed since its inception and I believe will continue to do so.”
The airport has handled more than 769 million travellers since it was first built and was officially opened at the time by former prime minister Sir John Gorton.
Mr Strambi said his job was now to oversee the rebirth of the airport as the aviation industry in starts again from scratch.
He said Tullamarine would help to fuel and cater for the population and economic growth that Victoria has enjoyed over the past decade.
“Big developments like our new runway and changes to the road system will still be required,” he said.
“It will also be interesting to see how aircraft evolve as we’re likely to see genuine electric planes for short distances.
“Our role may change in that you have more aerial vehicles like this better connecting regional communities and even hubs within Melbourne via Tullamarine.”
Mr Strambi said the growth of the airport had gone hand-in-hand with the success of Victoria and the culture of Melbourne as a world-class city.
“It all changed in the 60s and 70s as more people were given the chance to fly internationally than ever before,” he said.
“People used to go to the port to watch the ships sail in and those same people were travelling all over the world via the airport.
“The timing of its construction and the dawning of the jetset age was a really amazing time and people brought back those cultural benefits we’ve been able to enjoy over the years.
“We’re very lucky that Tullamarine was so well planned and the city has grown around a location that once felt like it was long way from Melbourne.
“Our airport is less of an imposition on the city than many others around the world … The benefits its brought to local areas has also been really positive.”
Since 1970, the three terminals at the airport have expanded, a fourth terminals has been built and high-end retail stores and restaurants have set up shop to impress international travellers.
Mr Strambi said the airport had always been destination its own right and was once home to a leading restaurant called Top Air.
“One of the really popular locations was the observation deck where people would wave to the aircraft and see relatives come home,” he said.
“It even had a space and science centre.
“I remember in those early days the awe of what was out at the airport and the pride of what it was doing to our city.”
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