Melbourne Airport breaks ground on $300 million project to build new taxiway system

Delays at Melbourne Airport are set to be cut short under a $300 million plan to help planes move quickly on the tarmac and prepare for decades of passenger growth.

Planes at Melbourne ­Airport will have more room to manoeuvre under a $300 million bid to cut down on flight delays and prepare for passenger growth.

Airport staff will on Monday begin work on a new taxiway network to help planes move more quickly between terminals and runways.

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The project, named Taxiway Zulu, is the biggest investment on airfield infrastructure at Tullamarine since 1964 and is expected to take 3½ years to complete.

Delays have increased at Melbourne Airport in recent years due to hundreds of ­additional flights.

More than 2.1 million ­domestic passengers passed through the terminals in April.

More than a fifth of flights ran late at the start of 2019.

Melbourne Airport aviation chief David Hall said the work would have an impact on everyone who used the airport.

An overhead view of the new taxiway network to be built at Melbourne Airport, with the new tarmac highlighted in yellow. Picture: Supplied

“When completed, these new taxiways will mean better on time performance for flights, more space for international aircraft and access to new destinations — it’s all part of our vision to support Melbourne on its journey to become Australia’s biggest city,” he said.

The new taxiway will also be designed to open up Tullamarine to new airline routes, service future terminals and create space for more passengers.

Fulton Hogan chief executive Duncan Hibb said he was excited his company would be helping to deliver the major project.

“We are passionate about designing a new future for Melbourne Airport while setting a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure,” he said.

“Melbourne Airport has ambitious plans for its future and we are proud to be selected to help deliver their inspirational vision.”

Authorities are planning a third runway at Tullamarine as the airport prepares for decades of continued growth.

Nearly 70 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport by 2038.