Airport Rail Link to be put back on track by former airline chief executive Merren McArthur

A former airline chief executive is set to haul the long-awaited airport rail project back on track, fuelling hope it could be built by early next decade.

A former airline chief executive will help haul the Melbourne Airport Rail Link back on track, fuelling hope the project could be built by early next decade.

Merren McArthur, who was previously the boss of Tigerair Australia and Virgin’s cargo and regional airline businesses, will chair a new project steering committee that includes federal, state, and airport representatives.

It is a significant step for the popular line, which had construction paused in 2023 by former premier Daniel Andrews, because it will give all project partners a voice at the table and create a clear delivery framework.

It follows a memorandum of understanding that was inked between the airport, state, and Commonwealth in March, which removed key roadblocks hampering the project.

The rail link, which has funding of $12bn from Victorian and Commonwealth governments, was on track to be built by 2029 until it was paused, and then deferred for four years.

Former Tigerair chief executive Merren McArthur (right), with Check Captain Deb Lawrie and First Officer Melanie Dowe in 2019. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

The Andrews and Allan governments blamed the delay on a feud with the airport over the station location and land compensation claims, but it also allowed Labor to push funding beyond State Budget forward estimates.

Early this year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Herald Sun’s Future Victoria forum that he wanted the project built, and committed an extra $2bn to start work on an upgrade of the Sunshine station precinct.
The Sunshine upgrade includes unscrambling country and city rail lines and the construction of new flyovers to allow dedicated tracks to be built to the airport.

Geotechnical work at Sunshine will start in coming months, while a broader timeline for the airport link will be set once new traffic modelling on Tullamarine Fwy is assessed.

Renders of the Melbourne Airport Rail link project. Picture: Supplied

Federal infrastructure minister, Catherine King, said Ms McArthur has “critical experience in leadership, governance and risk management required to guide the Melbourne Airport Rail Link through its next critical phase”.

“I look forward to working with Ms McArthur alongside the Victorian government and the Melbourne Airport to end the years of waiting and finally deliver the airport rail-link all Victorians deserve,” she said.

Acting transport infrastructure minister Sonya Kilkenny said it was “another step forward in delivering this vital project”, while Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said “we’re forging ahead with the planning and co-ordination needed to help airport rail become a reality”.

Ms McArthur said: “I look forward to working with all parties to support them reach agreement on the timeline and pathway for the delivery of MARL”.

Once built, the new line would allow passengers to get from the CBD to the airport in about half an hour in peak periods, with trains running through the new Metro Tunnel before diverting to Tullamarine at Sunshine.

Originally published as Airport Rail Link to be put back on track by former airline chief executive Merren McArthur