Editorial: Airport needs an upgrade

First impressions are so important when you arrive at a new destination and for many years Hobart’s Airport has been an embarrassment for the city.

Airbridges are a much-needed addition to the Hobart Airport. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

FIRST impressions are so important when you arrive at a new destination and for many years Hobart’s Airport has been an embarrassment for the city.

Arriving here has meant visitors have had to walk across an often cold and windswept stretch of tarmac and then from one end of the airport to the other via a jumble of pathways. It hasn’t been an ideal way of ending a series of flights to get to our beautiful state.

Leaving has been pretty shambolic too. Departure lounges have been crowded and outdated with only a few small televisions to keep travellers entertained, and limited options for a meal or even a cup of coffee.

In 2015 a $25 million, long-awaited makeover was announced with upgrades due to be completed by 2017.

But the upgrade was postponed by new CEO Sarah Renner when it was clear the airport would need a bigger revamp after a huge increase in visitor numbers. A record 2.6 million have passed through Hobart airport in the past 12 months.

Some improvements were made late last year to increase seating, add new food and drink options and a children’s play area. The seating options also included power-points to recharge personal devices.

They were welcome changes but amounted to a $4.5 million stopgap on a bigger makeover to come.

Yesterday airport management announced those plans — a $200 million 11-year project to double the terminal size.

The plans include a new departures lounge, upgraded passenger screening facilities as well as space for airline lounges including, one hopes, a Virgin lounge. It will also include self-service check-in kiosks and bag-drop points. Better baggage handling facilities and more retail space is included in the expansion as the airport gears up for an anticipated 4 million passengers a year by 2030.

With so many visitors expected, some from direct international flights, it makes sense for the Federal Government to provide funding to bring back an Australia Federal Police presence in Hobart. The AFP withdrew officers following cuts in 2014.

The airport plan will provide sensible and much-needed change but there is a significant oversight.

It seems like $200 million is a lot of money to spend on an airport — without including airbridges.

There are three months of the year when Hobart’s weather can be cold, wet, windy and unpredictable.

Forcing passengers to climb down steep stairs, often with carry-on luggage is not only second-rate, it’s dangerous.

A recent case where a passenger slipped and fell leaving them with head injuries, underlines this.

Airport managers say they are in discussions with airlines to provide more ramped bridges, such as those used now by Qantas, which will be safer but do not protect passengers from the weather.

Airbridges are just common sense and must be part of the new design.