‘It’s real’: New Townsville Airport escalators shock travellers
It’s one small step for thong-wearing travellers, one giant leap for Townsville Airport. The new escalators are here and some people can’t believe it. See the glorious pictures.
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The famously broken, slow and constantly out of order escalators in Townsville Airport are now facing the consequences of their actions — with a brand new pair of “people movers” installed elsewhere in the terminal.
Switched on for the first time this morning, busy commuters wasted no time taking pictures and reporting the good news.
Even with evidence, some Townsvillites refused to believe it.
“Not Townsville,” one person tried to mythbust a picture posted to Facebook.
“That is not Townsville airport” another said.
Someone else suggested a logical explanation saying “Is this an April’s fool (joke). Because lame.”
Another chimed in with: “Pretty sure this has been AI generated”.
The Townsville Bulletin rapidly mobilised a reporter to fact-check the allegations of working escalators in the airport.
Townsville Airport general manager Brendan Cook confirmed the rumours.
“The new escalators are in a new section of the building, in an entirely new extension,” Mr Cook said, explaining why some people can’t believe the pictures.
“The old escalators are still there and are due to come out soon.”
Mr Cook said the new escalators were switched on today (September 1) at 5am.
“You can’t miss them, they are in the mall area coming from the Qantas lounge side,” Mr Cook said.
The fancy new escalators are at a different angle to the old stairs and certainly look promising.
Mr Cook said getting new escalators in has been a massive $4m, 12-month project for the airport.
“And we’re only halfway there,” he said.
“We still have to build a new set of stairs, install new walls and carpet, then take down the old escalators and stairs.”
Townsville resident Belinda Kenney was just one of the privileged locals who got to test-ride the escalators on “opening day”.
Ms Kenney said her mind was blown.
“I have been flying in/out of this airport since 2014 and I cannot remember when they last operated. I watched many elderly folk nearly go A over T with the stairs.”
Philip James, who broke the news to popular Facebook page Everything Townsville, captioned his picture with three words: “People. It’s real.”
Loyal Bulletin readers wouldn’t be surprised by the new escalators, considering our journalists reported on their installation progress in April and August.
Mr Cook predicts the new stairs will be constructed in October (2023).
Those wishing to say their final goodbyes to the old escalators can still find them in their usual place, not working.
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Originally published as ‘It’s real’: New Townsville Airport escalators shock travellers
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