Melbourne Airport closes 56-year-old departures ramp
Melbourne Airport closed its departures ramp Tuesday after 56 years and moved pick-up and drop-off to an undercover car park.
Melbourne Airport closed its kerbside departures ramp on Tuesday and shifted all pick-up and drop-off for terminals 1, 2 and 3 to a new undercover car park zone connected by skybridge. The system operated smoothly on launch day despite some passenger confusion.
Departing passengers now walk 172 to 350 metres from the car park to their terminals, while arriving passengers walk 285 to 380 metres to the pick-up zone. The car park charges apply after the first five minutes of waiting.
Passengers noted that the drop-off zone sits on level 3 while departures are on level 2, and arriving passengers exit on ground level but pick-up is on level 2. Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said the 1970 ramp was exceeding capacity with 127,000 travellers on a single day.
- 56 years, opened 1970
- Ramp operating years
- 127,000 travellers
- Record single-day passengers
- 172 to 350 metres
- Walk distance departing
- First 5 minutes only
- Free parking period
Why it mattersTravelers through Melbourne Airport now face longer walks and paid parking for pick-up and drop-off, changing the airport experience for 100,000 daily passengers.
AustraliaMore than 100,000 Australians using Melbourne Airport daily must adapt to the new drop-off and pick-up system with longer walks.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
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