The Victorian Chamber backs Melbourne Chamber member Melbourne Airport on its plans for a third runway.

Melbourne Airport is Australia’s second-busiest passenger airport and features in six of the nation’s 10 busiest flight routes.

Melbourne Airport’s Master Plan 2022 notes ongoing development of the airport is necessary to ensure the critical infrastructure meets Victoria’s social and economic needs into the future.

Melbourne Airport currently operates two intersecting runways. As the aviation industry has evolved, parallel runway operations have become the preferred option for safety, efficiency and operability.

Long-term development plans for Melbourne Airport have included a four-runway configuration since the 1960s. It remains the intention that a fourth runway will be developed in the future as demand necessitates.

In the meantime, the Victorian Chamber looks forward to the economic, international, and domestic benefits that a third runway will bring to Victoria, which will contribute to the goal to grow annual passenger numbers to more than 76 million by 2042.

Melbourne Airport has played a key role in Victoria’s visitor economy since opening in 1970 and will continue to have a significant impact in bringing our state forward economically.

Chief Executive Lyell Strambi briefed MCC members on the impressive concept for a new north-south runway.

“The best time to build infrastructure is as soon as you possibly can,” Mr Strambi said.

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra supports Melbourne Airport’s plan for a third runway.

“This is the type of development and leadership that will help carry our state forward into a better, brighter future,” Mr Guerra said.

“This addition will boost domestic and international sectors for Victoria and complement our major events schedule.

“Many people are looking to resume travel after a tumultuous two years with numbers rebounding back towards pre-pandemic levels. We need to continue to boost support for Victoria’s tourism sector and to expand our world-class portfolio of major events.

“Travel numbers have shown resistance domestically, and with tourist destinations such as the Great Ocean Road reporting a significant upturn of international visitors, it is only a matter of time before we can expect an influx of tourists and our global reputation as a gold class destination is restored.”

The Victorian Chamber encourages members to support the plan to further boost our visitor economy and provide a significant contribution to our state’s development.

Feedback on Melbourne’s Third Runway and Master Plan can be provided here.