Melbourne Airport has been connecting Victoria to the world for 50 years, welcoming more than three quarters of a billion travellers over the decades. 

Together we can reflect on how far we have come, to be Australia’s busiest 24/7 airport, and to be an airport Melbourne can be proud of.

An airport for all Melburnians to cherish

Reflect on images of the past, with some of the moments that have marked the history of Melbourne Airport and the Australian aviation industry. 

The jump start Melbourne needed

The opening of the international airport on 1 July 1970 allowed the world to come to Melbourne, and the hopes and dreams of Melburnians to take flight.

Five decades of milestone moments

Melbourne Airport has grown into Victoria’s primary gateway for air travel, tourism and freight. Look at how much has been achieved in 50 years of connecting Victoria to the world. 

May 1959Sir Robert Menzies Prime Minister of Australia (1939 - 1941, 1949 - 1966) announces that a new airport will be built at Tullamarine
27 November 1962Government approves a five-year plan for a new international jet airport (“jetport”) at a cost of $45M
11 November 1964First sod turned by then Senator John Gorton commencing construction at Melbourne
August 1965First sod turned by then Senator John Gorton commencing construction at Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine
1 July 1970

RT. Hon. J.G. Gorton Prime Minister of Australia (1969 -1971) officially opens Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine for international operations

  • First international arrival, Alitalia AZ723 from Rome
  • First international departure, Qantas QF530 City of Bendigo to San Francisco
15 August 1970Astrojet Space and Science Centre opens
20 June 1971Domestic operations commence at Melbourne Airport
20 June 1972Concorde prototype arrives in Melbourne from London on its first international proving flight
1973Expansion works completed to allow Boeing 747’s to service the airport
c1975In a world first, Trans Australia Airlines paints a mural on an aircraft and also mounts a movie camera to the tail of VH-TJB Boeing 727-76 for brand promotion
4 to 12 August 1975Concorde conducts a series of environmental test flights between Melbourne and Singapore
December 1975Inaugural Pan Am service from New York to Melbourne
March 1976AC/DC arrives at Melbourne Airport for their concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl
5 March 1977ABBA arrives at Melbourne Airport for the Moomba performance at Sidney Myer Music Bowl
November 1977Inaugural Lufthansa service from Frankfurt to Melbourne
May 1959Sir Robert Menzies Prime Minister of Australia (1939 - 1941, 1949 - 1966) announces that a new airport will be built at Tullamarine
27 November 1962Government approves a five-year plan for a new international jet airport (“jetport”) at a cost of $45M
11 November 1964First sod turned by then Senator John Gorton commencing construction at Melbourne
August 1965First sod turned by then Senator John Gorton commencing construction at Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine
1 July 1970

RT. Hon. J.G. Gorton Prime Minister of Australia (1969 -1971) officially opens Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine for international operations

  • First international arrival, Alitalia AZ723 from Rome
  • First international departure, Qantas QF530 City of Bendigo to San Francisco
15 August 1970Astrojet Space and Science Centre opens
20 June 1971Domestic operations commence at Melbourne Airport
20 June 1972Concorde prototype arrives in Melbourne from London on its first international proving flight
1973Expansion works completed to allow Boeing 747’s to service the airport
c1975In a world first, Trans Australia Airlines paints a mural on an aircraft and also mounts a movie camera to the tail of VH-TJB Boeing 727-76 for brand promotion
4 to 12 August 1975Concorde conducts a series of environmental test flights between Melbourne and Singapore
December 1975Inaugural Pan Am service from New York to Melbourne
March 1976AC/DC arrives at Melbourne Airport for their concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl
5 March 1977ABBA arrives at Melbourne Airport for the Moomba performance at Sidney Myer Music Bowl
November 1977Inaugural Lufthansa service from Frankfurt to Melbourne


22 July 1981First wide-bodied commercial service by an Australian domestic airline, the Airbus A300 by Trans Australia Airlines from Melbourne to Sydney
17 April 1983The Prince and Princess of Wales conclude their four-week royal tour and fly out of Melbourne Airport
27 June 1983First commercial service of a Boeing 767 in Australia, by Ansett from Melbourne to Sydney
1986Trans Australia Airlines changes its name to Australian Airlines
1986First commercial service of a Boeing 737 by Australian Airlines
January 1988Melbourne Airport placed under the control of the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC)
2 February 1989First commercial service of an Airbus A320 in Australia, by Ansett Australia from Melbourne to Sydney
18 August 1989Australian Pilots’ dispute coordinated by Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) impacting Ansett, East-West, Ipec and Trans Australia Airlines
22 July 1981First wide-bodied commercial service by an Australian domestic airline, the Airbus A300 by Trans Australia Airlines from Melbourne to Sydney
17 April 1983The Prince and Princess of Wales conclude their four-week royal tour and fly out of Melbourne Airport
27 June 1983First commercial service of a Boeing 767 in Australia, by Ansett from Melbourne to Sydney
1986Trans Australia Airlines changes its name to Australian Airlines
1986First commercial service of a Boeing 737 by Australian Airlines
January 1988Melbourne Airport placed under the control of the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC)
2 February 1989First commercial service of an Airbus A320 in Australia, by Ansett Australia from Melbourne to Sydney
18 August 1989Australian Pilots’ dispute coordinated by Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) impacting Ansett, East-West, Ipec and Trans Australia Airlines
1990Deregulation of the Australian airline industry
1990Compass Airlines (MkI), Australia’s first low cost airline commences operations
20 September 1990Betty Wilson, 10 millionth international passenger, lands at Melbourne Airport
October 1990Trans Australia Airlines acquires Sunstate Airlines
25 October 1990Nelson Mandela arrives at Melbourne Airport on the final leg of his three-day historic visit to Australia
1991Expansion of Ansett domestic terminal completed
1991International terminal upgrade commences with a redevelopment cost of $177M
20 December 1991Compass MkI ceases operations
1992Compass MkII commences operations
14 September 1992Qantas acquisition of Australian Airlines
December 1992Impulse Airlines commences operations initially as a regional airline, then as a low-cost competitor on the eastern seaboard
1993Compass MkII ceases operations
26 November 1993Madonna lands at Melbourne Airport as part of her Australian leg of ‘The Girlie Show World Tour’
April 1994Australian Government announces plans to privatise all airports owned by the FAC
9 December 1995Prototype Boeing 777 visits Melbourne Airport on a demonstration tour
1996Inaugural Emirates service from Melbourne to Dubai via Singapore, introducing the B777 to Australia
1996T2 international satellite was expanded at a cost of $65M
2 July 1997Melbourne Airport leased to Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited (APAC) for $1.3B over 50 years
3 July 1997Launch of Melbourne Airport’s website with real time flight information
August 1997Southern freighter apron extended
August 1997Multi-storey car park completed at a cost of $49M
10 March 1998Official opening of new cargo terminal, BOC Cargo Services
May 1998Melbourne Airport launches a new identity, incorporating an ‘M’ and ‘A’, inspired by the city’s spires and the Yarra River
29 May 1998APAC acquires the lease for Launceston Airport for $18.8M over 50 years
December 1998Redevelopment of the food court completed, including two new outlets, Noodle Bar and Sbarro
January 1999Work commences on the Hilton Hotel (now PARKROYAL) at a cost of $55M
1990Deregulation of the Australian airline industry
1990Compass Airlines (MkI), Australia’s first low cost airline commences operations
20 September 1990Betty Wilson, 10 millionth international passenger, lands at Melbourne Airport
October 1990Trans Australia Airlines acquires Sunstate Airlines
25 October 1990Nelson Mandela arrives at Melbourne Airport on the final leg of his three-day historic visit to Australia
1991Expansion of Ansett domestic terminal completed
1991International terminal upgrade commences with a redevelopment cost of $177M
20 December 1991Compass MkI ceases operations
1992Compass MkII commences operations
14 September 1992Qantas acquisition of Australian Airlines
December 1992Impulse Airlines commences operations initially as a regional airline, then as a low-cost competitor on the eastern seaboard
1993Compass MkII ceases operations
26 November 1993Madonna lands at Melbourne Airport as part of her Australian leg of ‘The Girlie Show World Tour’
April 1994Australian Government announces plans to privatise all airports owned by the FAC
9 December 1995Prototype Boeing 777 visits Melbourne Airport on a demonstration tour
1996Inaugural Emirates service from Melbourne to Dubai via Singapore, introducing the B777 to Australia
1996T2 international satellite was expanded at a cost of $65M
2 July 1997Melbourne Airport leased to Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited (APAC) for $1.3B over 50 years
3 July 1997Launch of Melbourne Airport’s website with real time flight information
August 1997Southern freighter apron extended
August 1997Multi-storey car park completed at a cost of $49M
10 March 1998Official opening of new cargo terminal, BOC Cargo Services
May 1998Melbourne Airport launches a new identity, incorporating an ‘M’ and ‘A’, inspired by the city’s spires and the Yarra River
29 May 1998APAC acquires the lease for Launceston Airport for $18.8M over 50 years
December 1998Redevelopment of the food court completed, including two new outlets, Noodle Bar and Sbarro
January 1999Work commences on the Hilton Hotel (now PARKROYAL) at a cost of $55M
1 November 2000Inaugural Thai Airways service from Melbourne to Phuket
4 December 2000The Domestic Express Terminal opens at a cost of $9M
7 December 2000Inaugural China Southern Airlines service from Melbourne to Guangzhou
23 March 2001The Hilton Hotel at Melbourne Airport opens
26 March 2001British Airways recommences services from Melbourne to London via Singapore
17 May 2001Inaugural scheduled service into Melbourne by Virgin Blue
11 September 2001Air services from Australia are disrupted following the USA terrorism attacks
12 September 2001Ansett Australia Group placed into administration
30 October 2001Inaugural Philippine Airlines service from Melbourne to Manila
November 2001Impulse Airlines absorbed into the QantasLink group of subsidiary companies
30 November 2001Inaugural Air Canada service from Toronto to Melbourne via Honolulu
4 March 2002Last flight into Melbourne Airport by Ansett
26 August 2002South Terminal officially opens welcoming Virgin Blue and Regional Express as the first airlines to operate from the facility, formerly known as the Ansett Terminal 
2 August 2003Emirates commences services from Melbourne to Auckland
16 December 2003Inaugural China Eastern service from Melbourne to Shanghai via Sydney
4 March 2004Inaugural Pacific Blue service from Melbourne to Christchurch
25 May 2004Inaugural scheduled service from Melbourne Airport by Jetstar Airways
May 2005North-south runway widened by 15m to facilitate Airbus A380 operations
1 July 2005Opening of car park with additional 2,500 car spaces at a cost of $40M
1 July 2005Melbourne Airport terminals renamed to T1, T2 and T3
10 November 2005Australia’s first dual A380 aerobridge becomes operational
14 November 2005Airbus A380 lands at Melbourne Airport on its first long haul test flight outside Europe for Qantas
10 March 2006T2 expansion completed to accommodate the A380
November 2006Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Bangkok
December 2006Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Bali
29 December 2006Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Honolulu
22 October 2007Inaugural Korean Air service from Melbourne to Seoul
23 November 2007Tiger Airways commences operations, headquartered at Melbourne Airport 
21 November 2007Inaugural Skywest service from Melbourne to Kalgoorlie, renamed as Virgin Australia Regional Airlines
15 May 2008First A380 Singapore Airlines passenger flight lands at Melbourne Airport
5 June 2008Melbourne Airport announces plans to install a Category III Instrument Landing System
21 October 2008Inaugural Qantas A380 service from Melbourne to Los Angeles
12 November 2008Inaugural AirAsia X service from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur. Ceases operations in 2018
March 2009Inaugural Etihad Airways service from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi
November 2009Inaugural Qatar Airways service from Melbourne to Doha
1 November 2000Inaugural Thai Airways service from Melbourne to Phuket
4 December 2000The Domestic Express Terminal opens at a cost of $9M
7 December 2000Inaugural China Southern Airlines service from Melbourne to Guangzhou
23 March 2001The Hilton Hotel at Melbourne Airport opens
26 March 2001British Airways recommences services from Melbourne to London via Singapore
17 May 2001Inaugural scheduled service into Melbourne by Virgin Blue
11 September 2001Air services from Australia are disrupted following the USA terrorism attacks
12 September 2001Ansett Australia Group placed into administration
30 October 2001Inaugural Philippine Airlines service from Melbourne to Manila
November 2001Impulse Airlines absorbed into the QantasLink group of subsidiary companies
30 November 2001Inaugural Air Canada service from Toronto to Melbourne via Honolulu
4 March 2002Last flight into Melbourne Airport by Ansett
26 August 2002South Terminal officially opens welcoming Virgin Blue and Regional Express as the first airlines to operate from the facility, formerly known as the Ansett Terminal 
2 August 2003Emirates commences services from Melbourne to Auckland
16 December 2003Inaugural China Eastern service from Melbourne to Shanghai via Sydney
4 March 2004Inaugural Pacific Blue service from Melbourne to Christchurch
25 May 2004Inaugural scheduled service from Melbourne Airport by Jetstar Airways
May 2005North-south runway widened by 15m to facilitate Airbus A380 operations
1 July 2005Opening of car park with additional 2,500 car spaces at a cost of $40M
1 July 2005Melbourne Airport terminals renamed to T1, T2 and T3
10 November 2005Australia’s first dual A380 aerobridge becomes operational
14 November 2005Airbus A380 lands at Melbourne Airport on its first long haul test flight outside Europe for Qantas
10 March 2006T2 expansion completed to accommodate the A380
November 2006Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Bangkok
December 2006Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Bali
29 December 2006Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Honolulu
22 October 2007Inaugural Korean Air service from Melbourne to Seoul
23 November 2007Tiger Airways commences operations, headquartered at Melbourne Airport 
21 November 2007Inaugural Skywest service from Melbourne to Kalgoorlie, renamed as Virgin Australia Regional Airlines
15 May 2008First A380 Singapore Airlines passenger flight lands at Melbourne Airport
5 June 2008Melbourne Airport announces plans to install a Category III Instrument Landing System
21 October 2008Inaugural Qantas A380 service from Melbourne to Los Angeles
12 November 2008Inaugural AirAsia X service from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur. Ceases operations in 2018
March 2009Inaugural Etihad Airways service from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi
November 2009Inaugural Qatar Airways service from Melbourne to Doha
Late 2011T2 expansion completed at a cost of $330M
December 2011The first ‘Victoria’s Secret’ store in Victoria opens at Melbourne Airport
December 2011Celebrity chefs Frank Camorra and Shannon Bennett open dining venues in T2 departures 
2012Runway overlay project completed at a cost of $55M
17 April 2012A ‘Sister Airport’ agreement is signed between Melbourne Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
31 January 2013100 millionth international passenger departs from Melbourne Airport
27 February 2013Inaugural Sichuan Airlines service from Melbourne to Chengdu
30 August 2013Inaugural Air India flight from Melbourne to Delhi. It was also the first B787 Dreamliner flight into Melbourne Airport
28 October 2013Essendon Football Club commences training on new grounds within the Melbourne Airport Business Park
December 2013‘Ring & Ride’ wait zone opens, allowing friends and family to wait for arriving passengers for free for 20 minutes
14 December 2013Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Phuket
14 March 2014Melbourne Airport’s new air traffic control tower officially opens at a cost of $19M
30 March 2014Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Osaka
April 2014Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Tokyo 
3 April 2014Inaugural Royal Brunei B787 service from Melbourne to London via Brunei and Dubai
28 October 2014Inaugural international United Airlines B787-9 Dreamliner service, from Melbourne to Los Angeles
November 2014Inaugural AirCalin service from Melbourne to Noumea
26 December 2014Inaugural Indonesia AirAsia X service from Melbourne to Bali
March 2015Inaugural Tigerair service from Melbourne to Bali
1 June 2015Inaugural Air China service from Melbourne to Beijing
21 September 2015Lyell Strambi commences his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of APAC 
25 October 2015Inaugural China Airlines service from Melbourne to Taipei
November 2015First triple aerobridges with glass sidewalls to service the A380 at Bays D9 and D11 completed 
1 November 2015Inaugural Scoot Airlines service from Melbourne to Singapore
December 2015Emirates open their new T2 lounge
9 December 2015T4 officially opened by Scott Morrison Federal Treasurer (2015 - 2018), at a cost of $225M
April 2016Papa, Uniform and Golf (PUGs) Taxiway Slab Replacement Program completed
9 May 2016Etihad Airways new lounge opens at Melbourne Airport
26 June 2016Emirates celebrates 20 years of flying to Melbourne
1 July 2016Inaugural Xiamen Air service from Melbourne to Xiamen
10 August 2016Landing of first A350 at Melbourne Airport by Singapore Airlines
30 September 2016Inaugural Beijing Capital Airlines service from Melbourne to Shenyang
9 November 2016Inaugural Hainan Airlines service from Melbourne to Xi’an and Melbourne to Changsha
5 December 2016Inaugural Vietnam Airlines B787 service from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City
16 December 2016Qantas daily service from Melbourne to Narita commences
4 April 2017Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Los Angeles
9 May 2017Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City
2 June 2017Inaugural China Southern Airlines service from Melbourne to Shenzhen
5 July 2017Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Hong Kong
4 September 2017Inaugural Japan Airlines service from Melbourne to Tokyo
12 September 2017First ‘pay as you go’ Marhaba Lounge opens
13 September 2017Australia’s largest catering facility, Alpha Flight Services within the Melbourne Airport Business Park opens   
1 October 2017Inaugural Thai Airways service from Melbourne to Bangkok
5 October 2017Inaugural LATAM Airlines service from Melbourne to Santiago
29 October 2017Inaugural SriLankan Airlines service from Melbourne to Colombo
1 November 2017Inaugural Tianjin Airlines service from Melbourne to Chonggong. Melbourne was the only Australian airport to be serviced by Tianjin
17 November 2017Melbourne Duty Free by Dufry ‘next generation’ concept store opens in T2 departures
20 November 2017T2 upgrade featuring customised hybrid desks for international airlines opens
December 2017The eighth baggage reclaim, the largest carousel at Melbourne Airport, becomes operational
December 2017Local craft brewery ‘Stomping Ground’ pops up a new beer garden called T3 ½
6 December 2017Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Zhengzhou
12 December 2017T2 luxury retail and dining precinct opens 
17 December 2017Inaugural Xiamen Airlines service from Melbourne to Hangzhou
March 2018T4 named the best low - cost terminal in the Australia/Pacific region by Skytrax
24 March 2018Qantas launches services from Melbourne to London Heathrow via Perth
25 March 2018Inaugural China Airlines service from Melbourne to Taipei
14 May 2018Melbourne Airport updates its brand identity   
3 June 2018Air Canada launches year-round service from Melbourne to Vancouver
8 June 2018Inaugural Malindo Air service from Melbourne to Denpasar
28 June 2018Qantas launches B737-800 service from Melbourne to Denpasar
30 June 2018Aeronautical Services Agreement (ASA) with 37 airlines, representing 94% of the international carriers operating out of Melbourne fully executed
14 August 2018Inaugural Cebu Pacific service from Melbourne to Manila
1 September 2018Qantas recommences services from Melbourne to San Francisco
13 October 2018Melbourne Jet Base located within the Melbourne Airport Business Park opens
28 October 2018Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Queenstown
19 November 2018Installation of Australia’s largest outdoor digital advertising screens on the T4 car park
28 March 2019Australia’s first smart-security screening point in T2 unveiled 
9 May 2019New agreement with Qantas reached for the operation of T1
4 June 2019$100K annual community grants program announced  
18 June 2019Air Vanuatu recommences services from Melbourne to Port Vila
24 June 2019Taxiway Zulu Project commenced to deliver new capacity, new routes, new terminal facilities and new levels of operational performance at a cost of over $300M
2 September 2019First sod turned on construction of a new Accor Hotel in the airport’s Hive precinct
October 2019T2 arrivals hall expansion construction commenced
31 October 2019Inaugural United Airlines service from Melbourne to San Francisco
December 2019T2 and T3 hospitality overhaul completed
11 December 2019Multi-million dollar moving walkways inside T4 commence operation 
Late 2011T2 expansion completed at a cost of $330M
December 2011The first ‘Victoria’s Secret’ store in Victoria opens at Melbourne Airport
December 2011Celebrity chefs Frank Camorra and Shannon Bennett open dining venues in T2 departures 
2012Runway overlay project completed at a cost of $55M
17 April 2012A ‘Sister Airport’ agreement is signed between Melbourne Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
31 January 2013100 millionth international passenger departs from Melbourne Airport
27 February 2013Inaugural Sichuan Airlines service from Melbourne to Chengdu
30 August 2013Inaugural Air India flight from Melbourne to Delhi. It was also the first B787 Dreamliner flight into Melbourne Airport
28 October 2013Essendon Football Club commences training on new grounds within the Melbourne Airport Business Park
December 2013‘Ring & Ride’ wait zone opens, allowing friends and family to wait for arriving passengers for free for 20 minutes
14 December 2013Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Phuket
14 March 2014Melbourne Airport’s new air traffic control tower officially opens at a cost of $19M
30 March 2014Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Osaka
April 2014Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Tokyo 
3 April 2014Inaugural Royal Brunei B787 service from Melbourne to London via Brunei and Dubai
28 October 2014Inaugural international United Airlines B787-9 Dreamliner service, from Melbourne to Los Angeles
November 2014Inaugural AirCalin service from Melbourne to Noumea
26 December 2014Inaugural Indonesia AirAsia X service from Melbourne to Bali
March 2015Inaugural Tigerair service from Melbourne to Bali
1 June 2015Inaugural Air China service from Melbourne to Beijing
21 September 2015Lyell Strambi commences his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of APAC 
25 October 2015Inaugural China Airlines service from Melbourne to Taipei
November 2015First triple aerobridges with glass sidewalls to service the A380 at Bays D9 and D11 completed 
1 November 2015Inaugural Scoot Airlines service from Melbourne to Singapore
December 2015Emirates open their new T2 lounge
9 December 2015T4 officially opened by Scott Morrison Federal Treasurer (2015 - 2018), at a cost of $225M
April 2016Papa, Uniform and Golf (PUGs) Taxiway Slab Replacement Program completed
9 May 2016Etihad Airways new lounge opens at Melbourne Airport
26 June 2016Emirates celebrates 20 years of flying to Melbourne
1 July 2016Inaugural Xiamen Air service from Melbourne to Xiamen
10 August 2016Landing of first A350 at Melbourne Airport by Singapore Airlines
30 September 2016Inaugural Beijing Capital Airlines service from Melbourne to Shenyang
9 November 2016Inaugural Hainan Airlines service from Melbourne to Xi’an and Melbourne to Changsha
5 December 2016Inaugural Vietnam Airlines B787 service from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City
16 December 2016Qantas daily service from Melbourne to Narita commences
4 April 2017Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Los Angeles
9 May 2017Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City
2 June 2017Inaugural China Southern Airlines service from Melbourne to Shenzhen
5 July 2017Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Hong Kong
4 September 2017Inaugural Japan Airlines service from Melbourne to Tokyo
12 September 2017First ‘pay as you go’ Marhaba Lounge opens
13 September 2017Australia’s largest catering facility, Alpha Flight Services within the Melbourne Airport Business Park opens   
1 October 2017Inaugural Thai Airways service from Melbourne to Bangkok
5 October 2017Inaugural LATAM Airlines service from Melbourne to Santiago
29 October 2017Inaugural SriLankan Airlines service from Melbourne to Colombo
1 November 2017Inaugural Tianjin Airlines service from Melbourne to Chonggong. Melbourne was the only Australian airport to be serviced by Tianjin
17 November 2017Melbourne Duty Free by Dufry ‘next generation’ concept store opens in T2 departures
20 November 2017T2 upgrade featuring customised hybrid desks for international airlines opens
December 2017The eighth baggage reclaim, the largest carousel at Melbourne Airport, becomes operational
December 2017Local craft brewery ‘Stomping Ground’ pops up a new beer garden called T3 ½
6 December 2017Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Zhengzhou
12 December 2017T2 luxury retail and dining precinct opens 
17 December 2017Inaugural Xiamen Airlines service from Melbourne to Hangzhou
March 2018T4 named the best low - cost terminal in the Australia/Pacific region by Skytrax
24 March 2018Qantas launches services from Melbourne to London Heathrow via Perth
25 March 2018Inaugural China Airlines service from Melbourne to Taipei
14 May 2018Melbourne Airport updates its brand identity   
3 June 2018Air Canada launches year-round service from Melbourne to Vancouver
8 June 2018Inaugural Malindo Air service from Melbourne to Denpasar
28 June 2018Qantas launches B737-800 service from Melbourne to Denpasar
30 June 2018Aeronautical Services Agreement (ASA) with 37 airlines, representing 94% of the international carriers operating out of Melbourne fully executed
14 August 2018Inaugural Cebu Pacific service from Melbourne to Manila
1 September 2018Qantas recommences services from Melbourne to San Francisco
13 October 2018Melbourne Jet Base located within the Melbourne Airport Business Park opens
28 October 2018Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Queenstown
19 November 2018Installation of Australia’s largest outdoor digital advertising screens on the T4 car park
28 March 2019Australia’s first smart-security screening point in T2 unveiled 
9 May 2019New agreement with Qantas reached for the operation of T1
4 June 2019$100K annual community grants program announced  
18 June 2019Air Vanuatu recommences services from Melbourne to Port Vila
24 June 2019Taxiway Zulu Project commenced to deliver new capacity, new routes, new terminal facilities and new levels of operational performance at a cost of over $300M
2 September 2019First sod turned on construction of a new Accor Hotel in the airport’s Hive precinct
October 2019T2 arrivals hall expansion construction commenced
31 October 2019Inaugural United Airlines service from Melbourne to San Francisco
December 2019T2 and T3 hospitality overhaul completed
11 December 2019Multi-million dollar moving walkways inside T4 commence operation 
6 January 2020Australia’s first surf park URBNSURF opens within the Melbourne Airport Business Park
7 February 2020Australia’s first airport brewery opens in T3, run by Stomping Ground Brewing Co.
24 February 2020T4 Express Link project commences at a cost of $60M for stage one
12 March 2020Grounding of aircraft due to closed international borders and limited interstate air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic
21 April 2020Virgin Australia placed into voluntary administration
12 May 2020Melbourne Airport named Best Airport in Australia/Pacific in the Skytrax 2020 World Airline Awards
1 July 2020Melbourne Airport celebrates its 50th year of operation
6 January 2020Australia’s first surf park URBNSURF opens within the Melbourne Airport Business Park
7 February 2020Australia’s first airport brewery opens in T3, run by Stomping Ground Brewing Co.
24 February 2020T4 Express Link project commences at a cost of $60M for stage one
12 March 2020Grounding of aircraft due to closed international borders and limited interstate air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic
21 April 2020Virgin Australia placed into voluntary administration
12 May 2020Melbourne Airport named Best Airport in Australia/Pacific in the Skytrax 2020 World Airline Awards
1 July 2020Melbourne Airport celebrates its 50th year of operation

Junior Travellers, prepare for take-off

Designed especially for our future aviators, Junior Traveller is where you'll experience Melbourne Airport virtually.

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