Rapid-transit system needed: Virgin
The airline has serious concerns about a plan to base its operations and those of its alliance partners at T1, which is likely to derail the airport's aim to remove the split between the domestic and international terminals.
Removing the split has been central to the airport's long-term strategy to cope with an expected surge in demand over the next two decades, thereby reducing the need for urgent action on a second airport.
Virgin is urging the airport investigate building a high-frequency, light-rail link between what are now the domestic terminals - known as T2 and T3 - and the international terminal, or T1.
The airline believes that will be a considerably cheaper option than pursuing a major redevelopment of the terminals, which is expected to run into the billions of dollars.
Virgin chief executive John Borghetti said the existing plan would not solve, even after spending billions of dollars, the difficulty for passengers getting to the other side of the airport to catch connecting flights.
"The current facilities are Third World - and that means cab, bus or train," he said.
"We are still going to have separate terminals [if the airport proceeds with its plans], and irrespective of who is in them, we haven't solved the transfer issue between those two terminals."
He described the existing rail link between the international and domestic terminals as "difficult to find, difficult to get to and in a different league ... to lots of airports in Asia".
The "commuter train" did not run frequently enough to meet the needs of airline passengers, he said.
Airports around the world including those in Atlanta, Seoul, Madrid and Kuala Lumpur are well served with light-rail links connecting terminals every three to five minutes.
A spokeswoman for Sydney Airport said its plans to base domestic and international flights from the same terminals would allow for a "greater number of intra-precinct transfers".
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Virgin Australia is pushing for a rapid-transit system to improve connectivity between terminals at Sydney Airport. They believe it will be a more cost-effective solution than a major redevelopment and will address the current challenges passengers face when transferring between domestic and international flights.
Virgin Australia is pushing for a rapid-transit system at Sydney Airport to improve connectivity between terminals. They believe this will be a more cost-effective solution than a major redevelopment and will address the current challenges passengers face when transferring between domestic and international flights.
The current facilities at Sydney Airport are described as inadequate, with passengers facing difficulties in finding and accessing the existing rail link between terminals. The commuter train does not run frequently enough to meet the needs of airline passengers, making transfers cumbersome.
The current issues with terminal transfers at Sydney Airport include the difficulty of finding and accessing the existing rail link, which is not frequent enough to meet passenger needs. Virgin Australia describes the facilities as 'Third World' and inadequate compared to other major airports.
Virgin Australia's CEO, John Borghetti, describes the existing rail link as difficult to find and access, and not comparable to the efficient systems found at many Asian airports. The current setup does not adequately serve the needs of passengers transferring between terminals.
Virgin Australia proposes building a high-frequency, light-rail link between the domestic terminals (T2 and T3) and the international terminal (T1). This solution is seen as more efficient and less costly than a complete terminal redevelopment.
A light-rail link would provide a high-frequency, efficient connection between terminals, similar to systems in place at airports in Atlanta, Seoul, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur. This would significantly improve passenger experience and operational efficiency at Sydney Airport.
A light-rail link between terminals would provide frequent and reliable transfers for passengers, similar to systems in place at airports in Atlanta, Seoul, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur. This would enhance the passenger experience and streamline operations at Sydney Airport.
Sydney Airport plans to base both domestic and international flights from the same terminals to allow for a greater number of intra-precinct transfers. However, Virgin Australia has concerns that this plan will not adequately address the transfer issues between terminals.
Sydney Airport's current plan involves basing both domestic and international flights from the same terminals to increase the number of intra-precinct transfers. However, Virgin Australia has expressed concerns that this plan does not adequately address the transfer issues between terminals.
Virgin Australia believes that building a high-frequency, light-rail link would be considerably cheaper than pursuing a major redevelopment of the terminals, which is expected to cost billions of dollars.
Virgin Australia believes a major terminal redevelopment is not the best solution because it would be extremely costly, running into billions of dollars, and would not effectively solve the transfer issues between terminals.
Airports in Atlanta, Seoul, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur have effective light-rail links that connect terminals every three to five minutes, providing a model for what Virgin Australia envisions for Sydney Airport.
Other international airports, such as those in Atlanta, Seoul, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur, have efficient light-rail links that connect terminals every three to five minutes, providing a seamless transfer experience for passengers.
The current split between domestic and international terminals is central to Sydney Airport's long-term strategy to manage future demand. However, Virgin Australia argues that without a rapid-transit system, the transfer issues will persist, undermining the strategy's effectiveness.
Virgin Australia's CEO, John Borghetti, described the current facilities at Sydney Airport as 'Third World,' highlighting the inadequacy of the existing rail link and the need for a more efficient solution to improve passenger transfers between terminals.
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