Brisbane Airport unveils game-changing security skywalk to slash travel times

A game-changing airport upgrade promises to slash waiting times for millions of travellers as Brisbane Airport braces for record-breaking holiday passenger numbers.

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Domestic travel just got a whole lot easier at Brisbane Airport.

From Thursday afternoon, travellers with carry-on luggage (and online check-in) will be able to walk straight from the domestic terminal car park into a new state-of-the-art security screening station without having to take objects such as laptops out of their bags.

Passengers can access the new security screen sector via the “skywalk” and then onwards to their departure gate without having to change levels in a move expected to slash wait times during busy periods.

It comes as the airport braces for a surge of more than three million passengers over the coming holiday period – a tally likely to be an all-time record.

The new entrance for carry-on luggage passengers – which will slash several minutes from the airport process in a game-changer for travellers and is the first major milestone in the airport’s $5 billion transformation.

Dominica Czaczka sets foot into Brisbane Airport’s newest entryway to the domestic terminal. Picture: Liam Kidston

Courier-Mail reporter Elodie Jakes was sent out to test Brisbane Airport’s new frontier of domestic travel. Here is what she reported back.

“For domestic flights I almost never check in a bag, so I was eager to try the specialised entrance for carry-on purists like myself,” she said.

“Entering the sliding doors I was struck by how few people were using the new screening station. I gathered not many people knew it existed, making the entrance somewhat of a hidden gem (for now).

“Instead of battling with hordes of people for a spot in line I breezed straight through the roped pathway to the scanners without a single person in front of me.

“The scanning process was equally smooth. My bag went straight into an extra-large tray, no need to remove my laptop, waterbottle, shoes or aerosol deodorant.

“In less than five minutes I had walked from the carpark, completed the security screening and was headed straight to my gate just metres from the scanners.

“The entrance shaved crucial minutes from a usually dreaded and stressful process for flyers, I will certainly return for my next 5am flight.”

Once fully open by Christmas, the new central screening level will feature 10 brand-new security lanes equipped with Rapiscan Computed Tomography screening technology, also known as Standard 3.

The new technology delivers a more secure screening process, allowing passengers to keep laptops, secured drink bottles and aerosols inside bags for a smoother passenger experience.

The lanes also feature larger tubs to accommodate more personal items and an automatic tray return, further speeding up the process for passengers.

Spanning 1250 square metres, the new central screening area is equivalent to the footprint of a Boeing 737/A320 aircraft, or three average suburban house blocks.

Construction of the central part of a new mezzanine level required for the upgrade included about 1600 cubic metres total concrete, 370 tonnes of structural steel and more than 230 kilometres of low-voltage and high-voltage cables.

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said it was a significant milestone for the redevelopment and for passengers.

“This brand-new entrance into the domestic terminal sets a benchmark for a smoother passenger experience at Brisbane Airport,” he said.

“For those that are travelling light, you can now park, stroll straight down the Skywalk and go through security without having to take things like laptops out of your bag.

“This is a huge win for passengers, making domestic travel at Brisbane Airport more convenient and easier than ever before.

Brisbane Airport domestic terminal’s new one-stop process for carry on luggage travellers: you can now walk straight from the car park through security and to your gate. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We want to thank the community for their patience over the past two years while we worked to deliver these significant works to refresh the terminal and upgrade security screening equipment to meet Australian Government standards by the end of this year.

“We’re not done yet, but we’re making great progress.”

The changes come at a good time for travellers, with the airport expected to welcome huge numbers of passengers over the coming holiday period.

International travel numbers are up almost 10 per cent on the same time last year, with more than one million passengers either arriving or departing on international flights over the coming weeks.

At least two days in early January are forecast to smash the all-time international passenger number record of 24,164, with projections of up to 26,000 passengers a day travelling through the hub.

The domestic terminal is unlikely to smash the all-time record – set on this year’s NRL Grand Final weekend, but numbers are up four per cent on the same time last year across the coming weeks.

Airport officials recommend passengers arrive 90 minutes before a domestic flight and three hours before international departures.

The upgrade comes ahead of the busy summer holiday season. Picture: Liam Kidston

Originally published as Brisbane Airport unveils game-changing security skywalk to slash travel times