Virgin move-in date for new terminal at Perth Airport confirmed

Virgin Australia will move into its new terminal at Perth Airport on November 22, the airport and airline have confirmed.

The much-delayed shift to the Terminal 1 domestic pier consolidates Virgin’s operations from three separate terminals currently to the one facility.

In addition to having access to more departure gates, Virgin is also unveiling new checkin kiosks and bag-drop stations at its new home at Perth Airport, along with new lounges.

Virgin chief executive John Borghetti says the terminal will deliver an outstanding travel experience and is the “centrepiece of our commitment to Western Australia”.

“It will provide access to twice the number of departure gates, with the ability to board up to twelve aircraft at one time, offering a world-class gateway for regional, domestic and international travel,” Borghetti said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Our new check-in service will enable us to tailor the experience to the needs of different customers, combining cutting-edge technology with the personalised customer service for which Virgin Australia is renowned.

“We believe the new Virgin Australia ground experience will raise the bar for airport services around Australia and help to ensure that Virgin Australia is the number one choice for travellers on the all-important trans-continental routes.

Figures from Virgin and Perth Airport indicate the T1 domestic pier has been designed with 28 domestic checkin kiosks and has 12 departure gates with aerobridges, of which three are capable of handling Airbus A330 widebodies that link Perth with Australia’s east coast capitals. There are also retail and food outlets, as well as 2,104 seats – 1,691 seats at the gate with access to power – in the terminal, which measures 40,000 square metres.

Perth Airport said more than 4,200 contractors and suppliers worked about 1.8 million man hours on the T1 domestic pier.

The first scheduled flight to arrive at the T1 domestic pier is the VA 713 from Adelaide due to touch down at 0735 local time on Sunday November 22. The first scheduled departure is the reciprocal VA714, which departs at 0810.

Perth Airport chief executive Brad Geatches said the T1 domestic pier was the most significant project in the airport’s $1 billion redevelopment.

“We are confident that the Virgin Australia T1 Domestic Terminal sets a new standard in customer experience in Australia,” Geatches said.

“The facilities are brand new, very spacious and designed with the customer at the forefront.”

The new Virgin terminal was due to open in June 2014. However, delays and building issues have forced Perth Airport to push back Virgin’s move in date on several occasions.

Currently, Virgin’s operates from both sides of the Perth Airport precinct, which has added a layer of complexity for those passengers connecting between fights.

On the international side, Virgin’s international flights depart and arrive at Terminal 1, while services operated by Virgin Australia Regional Airlines are at Terminal 2. Virgin’s low-cost subsidiary Tigerair Australia is also on the international side of the airport at Terminal 2. On the domestic side, Virgin’s mainline services are located at Terminal 3.

Once Virgin vacates T3, Qantas will have access to the boarding gates and terminal space, giving the airline, as well as its subsidiaries Jetstar and QantasLink, exclusive use of T3 and T4 on the domestic side of the airport.