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.
Over 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 1959 | Sir Robert Menzies Prime Minister of Australia (1939 - 1941, 1949 - 1966) announces that a new airport will be built at Tullamarine |
| 27 November 1962 | Government approves a five-year plan for a new international jet airport (“jetport”) at a cost of $45M |
| 11 November 1964 | First sod turned by then Senator John Gorton commencing construction at Melbourne |
| August 1965 | First 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
|
| 15 August 1970 | Astrojet Space and Science Centre opens |
| 20 June 1971 | Domestic operations commence at Melbourne Airport |
| 20 June 1972 | Concorde prototype arrives in Melbourne from London on its first international proving flight |
| 1973 | Expansion works completed to allow Boeing 747’s to service the airport |
| c1975 | In 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 1975 | Concorde conducts a series of environmental test flights between Melbourne and Singapore |
| December 1975 | Inaugural Pan Am service from New York to Melbourne |
| March 1976 | AC/DC arrives at Melbourne Airport for their concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl |
| 5 March 1977 | ABBA arrives at Melbourne Airport for the Moomba performance at Sidney Myer Music Bowl |
| November 1977 | Inaugural Lufthansa service from Frankfurt to Melbourne |
| May 1959 | Sir Robert Menzies Prime Minister of Australia (1939 - 1941, 1949 - 1966) announces that a new airport will be built at Tullamarine |
| 27 November 1962 | Government approves a five-year plan for a new international jet airport (“jetport”) at a cost of $45M |
| 11 November 1964 | First sod turned by then Senator John Gorton commencing construction at Melbourne |
| August 1965 | First 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
|
| 15 August 1970 | Astrojet Space and Science Centre opens |
| 20 June 1971 | Domestic operations commence at Melbourne Airport |
| 20 June 1972 | Concorde prototype arrives in Melbourne from London on its first international proving flight |
| 1973 | Expansion works completed to allow Boeing 747’s to service the airport |
| c1975 | In 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 1975 | Concorde conducts a series of environmental test flights between Melbourne and Singapore |
| December 1975 | Inaugural Pan Am service from New York to Melbourne |
| March 1976 | AC/DC arrives at Melbourne Airport for their concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl |
| 5 March 1977 | ABBA arrives at Melbourne Airport for the Moomba performance at Sidney Myer Music Bowl |
| November 1977 | Inaugural Lufthansa service from Frankfurt to Melbourne |
| 22 July 1981 | First wide-bodied commercial service by an Australian domestic airline, the Airbus A300 by Trans Australia Airlines from Melbourne to Sydney |
| 17 April 1983 | The Prince and Princess of Wales conclude their four-week royal tour and fly out of Melbourne Airport |
| 27 June 1983 | First commercial service of a Boeing 767 in Australia, by Ansett from Melbourne to Sydney |
| 1986 | Trans Australia Airlines changes its name to Australian Airlines |
| 1986 | First commercial service of a Boeing 737 by Australian Airlines |
| January 1988 | Melbourne Airport placed under the control of the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC) |
| 2 February 1989 | First commercial service of an Airbus A320 in Australia, by Ansett Australia from Melbourne to Sydney |
| 18 August 1989 | Australian Pilots’ dispute coordinated by Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) impacting Ansett, East-West, Ipec and Trans Australia Airlines |
| 22 July 1981 | First wide-bodied commercial service by an Australian domestic airline, the Airbus A300 by Trans Australia Airlines from Melbourne to Sydney |
| 17 April 1983 | The Prince and Princess of Wales conclude their four-week royal tour and fly out of Melbourne Airport |
| 27 June 1983 | First commercial service of a Boeing 767 in Australia, by Ansett from Melbourne to Sydney |
| 1986 | Trans Australia Airlines changes its name to Australian Airlines |
| 1986 | First commercial service of a Boeing 737 by Australian Airlines |
| January 1988 | Melbourne Airport placed under the control of the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC) |
| 2 February 1989 | First commercial service of an Airbus A320 in Australia, by Ansett Australia from Melbourne to Sydney |
| 18 August 1989 | Australian Pilots’ dispute coordinated by Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) impacting Ansett, East-West, Ipec and Trans Australia Airlines |
| 1990 | Deregulation of the Australian airline industry |
| 1990 | Compass Airlines (MkI), Australia’s first low cost airline commences operations |
| 20 September 1990 | Betty Wilson, 10 millionth international passenger, lands at Melbourne Airport |
| October 1990 | Trans Australia Airlines acquires Sunstate Airlines |
| 25 October 1990 | Nelson Mandela arrives at Melbourne Airport on the final leg of his three-day historic visit to Australia |
| 1991 | Expansion of Ansett domestic terminal completed |
| 1991 | International terminal upgrade commences with a redevelopment cost of $177M |
| 20 December 1991 | Compass MkI ceases operations |
| 1992 | Compass MkII commences operations |
| 14 September 1992 | Qantas acquisition of Australian Airlines |
| December 1992 | Impulse Airlines commences operations initially as a regional airline, then as a low-cost competitor on the eastern seaboard |
| 1993 | Compass MkII ceases operations |
| 26 November 1993 | Madonna lands at Melbourne Airport as part of her Australian leg of ‘The Girlie Show World Tour’ |
| April 1994 | Australian Government announces plans to privatise all airports owned by the FAC |
| 9 December 1995 | Prototype Boeing 777 visits Melbourne Airport on a demonstration tour |
| 1996 | Inaugural Emirates service from Melbourne to Dubai via Singapore, introducing the B777 to Australia |
| 1996 | T2 international satellite was expanded at a cost of $65M |
| 2 July 1997 | Melbourne Airport leased to Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited (APAC) for $1.3B over 50 years |
| 3 July 1997 | Launch of Melbourne Airport’s website with real time flight information |
| August 1997 | Southern freighter apron extended |
| August 1997 | Multi-storey car park completed at a cost of $49M |
| 10 March 1998 | Official opening of new cargo terminal, BOC Cargo Services |
| May 1998 | Melbourne Airport launches a new identity, incorporating an ‘M’ and ‘A’, inspired by the city’s spires and the Yarra River |
| 29 May 1998 | APAC acquires the lease for Launceston Airport for $18.8M over 50 years |
| December 1998 | Redevelopment of the food court completed, including two new outlets, Noodle Bar and Sbarro |
| January 1999 | Work commences on the Hilton Hotel (now PARKROYAL) at a cost of $55M |
| 1990 | Deregulation of the Australian airline industry |
| 1990 | Compass Airlines (MkI), Australia’s first low cost airline commences operations |
| 20 September 1990 | Betty Wilson, 10 millionth international passenger, lands at Melbourne Airport |
| October 1990 | Trans Australia Airlines acquires Sunstate Airlines |
| 25 October 1990 | Nelson Mandela arrives at Melbourne Airport on the final leg of his three-day historic visit to Australia |
| 1991 | Expansion of Ansett domestic terminal completed |
| 1991 | International terminal upgrade commences with a redevelopment cost of $177M |
| 20 December 1991 | Compass MkI ceases operations |
| 1992 | Compass MkII commences operations |
| 14 September 1992 | Qantas acquisition of Australian Airlines |
| December 1992 | Impulse Airlines commences operations initially as a regional airline, then as a low-cost competitor on the eastern seaboard |
| 1993 | Compass MkII ceases operations |
| 26 November 1993 | Madonna lands at Melbourne Airport as part of her Australian leg of ‘The Girlie Show World Tour’ |
| April 1994 | Australian Government announces plans to privatise all airports owned by the FAC |
| 9 December 1995 | Prototype Boeing 777 visits Melbourne Airport on a demonstration tour |
| 1996 | Inaugural Emirates service from Melbourne to Dubai via Singapore, introducing the B777 to Australia |
| 1996 | T2 international satellite was expanded at a cost of $65M |
| 2 July 1997 | Melbourne Airport leased to Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited (APAC) for $1.3B over 50 years |
| 3 July 1997 | Launch of Melbourne Airport’s website with real time flight information |
| August 1997 | Southern freighter apron extended |
| August 1997 | Multi-storey car park completed at a cost of $49M |
| 10 March 1998 | Official opening of new cargo terminal, BOC Cargo Services |
| May 1998 | Melbourne Airport launches a new identity, incorporating an ‘M’ and ‘A’, inspired by the city’s spires and the Yarra River |
| 29 May 1998 | APAC acquires the lease for Launceston Airport for $18.8M over 50 years |
| December 1998 | Redevelopment of the food court completed, including two new outlets, Noodle Bar and Sbarro |
| January 1999 | Work commences on the Hilton Hotel (now PARKROYAL) at a cost of $55M |
| 1 November 2000 | Inaugural Thai Airways service from Melbourne to Phuket |
| 4 December 2000 | The Domestic Express Terminal opens at a cost of $9M |
| 7 December 2000 | Inaugural China Southern Airlines service from Melbourne to Guangzhou |
| 23 March 2001 | The Hilton Hotel at Melbourne Airport opens |
| 26 March 2001 | British Airways recommences services from Melbourne to London via Singapore |
| 17 May 2001 | Inaugural scheduled service into Melbourne by Virgin Blue |
| 11 September 2001 | Air services from Australia are disrupted following the USA terrorism attacks |
| 12 September 2001 | Ansett Australia Group placed into administration |
| 30 October 2001 | Inaugural Philippine Airlines service from Melbourne to Manila |
| November 2001 | Impulse Airlines absorbed into the QantasLink group of subsidiary companies |
| 30 November 2001 | Inaugural Air Canada service from Toronto to Melbourne via Honolulu |
| 4 March 2002 | Last flight into Melbourne Airport by Ansett |
| 26 August 2002 | South 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 2003 | Emirates commences services from Melbourne to Auckland |
| 16 December 2003 | Inaugural China Eastern service from Melbourne to Shanghai via Sydney |
| 4 March 2004 | Inaugural Pacific Blue service from Melbourne to Christchurch |
| 25 May 2004 | Inaugural scheduled service from Melbourne Airport by Jetstar Airways |
| May 2005 | North-south runway widened by 15m to facilitate Airbus A380 operations |
| 1 July 2005 | Opening of car park with additional 2,500 car spaces at a cost of $40M |
| 1 July 2005 | Melbourne Airport terminals renamed to T1, T2 and T3 |
| 10 November 2005 | Australia’s first dual A380 aerobridge becomes operational |
| 14 November 2005 | Airbus A380 lands at Melbourne Airport on its first long haul test flight outside Europe for Qantas |
| 10 March 2006 | T2 expansion completed to accommodate the A380 |
| November 2006 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Bangkok |
| December 2006 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Bali |
| 29 December 2006 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Honolulu |
| 22 October 2007 | Inaugural Korean Air service from Melbourne to Seoul |
| 23 November 2007 | Tiger Airways commences operations, headquartered at Melbourne Airport |
| 21 November 2007 | Inaugural Skywest service from Melbourne to Kalgoorlie, renamed as Virgin Australia Regional Airlines |
| 15 May 2008 | First A380 Singapore Airlines passenger flight lands at Melbourne Airport |
| 5 June 2008 | Melbourne Airport announces plans to install a Category III Instrument Landing System |
| 21 October 2008 | Inaugural Qantas A380 service from Melbourne to Los Angeles |
| 12 November 2008 | Inaugural AirAsia X service from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur. Ceases operations in 2018 |
| March 2009 | Inaugural Etihad Airways service from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi |
| November 2009 | Inaugural Qatar Airways service from Melbourne to Doha |
| 1 November 2000 | Inaugural Thai Airways service from Melbourne to Phuket |
| 4 December 2000 | The Domestic Express Terminal opens at a cost of $9M |
| 7 December 2000 | Inaugural China Southern Airlines service from Melbourne to Guangzhou |
| 23 March 2001 | The Hilton Hotel at Melbourne Airport opens |
| 26 March 2001 | British Airways recommences services from Melbourne to London via Singapore |
| 17 May 2001 | Inaugural scheduled service into Melbourne by Virgin Blue |
| 11 September 2001 | Air services from Australia are disrupted following the USA terrorism attacks |
| 12 September 2001 | Ansett Australia Group placed into administration |
| 30 October 2001 | Inaugural Philippine Airlines service from Melbourne to Manila |
| November 2001 | Impulse Airlines absorbed into the QantasLink group of subsidiary companies |
| 30 November 2001 | Inaugural Air Canada service from Toronto to Melbourne via Honolulu |
| 4 March 2002 | Last flight into Melbourne Airport by Ansett |
| 26 August 2002 | South 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 2003 | Emirates commences services from Melbourne to Auckland |
| 16 December 2003 | Inaugural China Eastern service from Melbourne to Shanghai via Sydney |
| 4 March 2004 | Inaugural Pacific Blue service from Melbourne to Christchurch |
| 25 May 2004 | Inaugural scheduled service from Melbourne Airport by Jetstar Airways |
| May 2005 | North-south runway widened by 15m to facilitate Airbus A380 operations |
| 1 July 2005 | Opening of car park with additional 2,500 car spaces at a cost of $40M |
| 1 July 2005 | Melbourne Airport terminals renamed to T1, T2 and T3 |
| 10 November 2005 | Australia’s first dual A380 aerobridge becomes operational |
| 14 November 2005 | Airbus A380 lands at Melbourne Airport on its first long haul test flight outside Europe for Qantas |
| 10 March 2006 | T2 expansion completed to accommodate the A380 |
| November 2006 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Bangkok |
| December 2006 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Bali |
| 29 December 2006 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Honolulu |
| 22 October 2007 | Inaugural Korean Air service from Melbourne to Seoul |
| 23 November 2007 | Tiger Airways commences operations, headquartered at Melbourne Airport |
| 21 November 2007 | Inaugural Skywest service from Melbourne to Kalgoorlie, renamed as Virgin Australia Regional Airlines |
| 15 May 2008 | First A380 Singapore Airlines passenger flight lands at Melbourne Airport |
| 5 June 2008 | Melbourne Airport announces plans to install a Category III Instrument Landing System |
| 21 October 2008 | Inaugural Qantas A380 service from Melbourne to Los Angeles |
| 12 November 2008 | Inaugural AirAsia X service from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur. Ceases operations in 2018 |
| March 2009 | Inaugural Etihad Airways service from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi |
| November 2009 | Inaugural Qatar Airways service from Melbourne to Doha |
| Late 2011 | T2 expansion completed at a cost of $330M |
| December 2011 | The first ‘Victoria’s Secret’ store in Victoria opens at Melbourne Airport |
| December 2011 | Celebrity chefs Frank Camorra and Shannon Bennett open dining venues in T2 departures |
| 2012 | Runway overlay project completed at a cost of $55M |
| 17 April 2012 | A ‘Sister Airport’ agreement is signed between Melbourne Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport |
| 31 January 2013 | 100 millionth international passenger departs from Melbourne Airport |
| 27 February 2013 | Inaugural Sichuan Airlines service from Melbourne to Chengdu |
| 30 August 2013 | Inaugural Air India flight from Melbourne to Delhi. It was also the first B787 Dreamliner flight into Melbourne Airport |
| 28 October 2013 | Essendon 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 2013 | Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Phuket |
| 14 March 2014 | Melbourne Airport’s new air traffic control tower officially opens at a cost of $19M |
| 30 March 2014 | Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Osaka |
| April 2014 | Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Tokyo |
| 3 April 2014 | Inaugural Royal Brunei B787 service from Melbourne to London via Brunei and Dubai |
| 28 October 2014 | Inaugural international United Airlines B787-9 Dreamliner service, from Melbourne to Los Angeles |
| November 2014 | Inaugural AirCalin service from Melbourne to Noumea |
| 26 December 2014 | Inaugural Indonesia AirAsia X service from Melbourne to Bali |
| March 2015 | Inaugural Tigerair service from Melbourne to Bali |
| 1 June 2015 | Inaugural Air China service from Melbourne to Beijing |
| 21 September 2015 | Lyell Strambi commences his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of APAC |
| 25 October 2015 | Inaugural China Airlines service from Melbourne to Taipei |
| November 2015 | First triple aerobridges with glass sidewalls to service the A380 at Bays D9 and D11 completed |
| 1 November 2015 | Inaugural Scoot Airlines service from Melbourne to Singapore |
| December 2015 | Emirates open their new T2 lounge |
| 9 December 2015 | T4 officially opened by Scott Morrison Federal Treasurer (2015 - 2018), at a cost of $225M |
| April 2016 | Papa, Uniform and Golf (PUGs) Taxiway Slab Replacement Program completed |
| 9 May 2016 | Etihad Airways new lounge opens at Melbourne Airport |
| 26 June 2016 | Emirates celebrates 20 years of flying to Melbourne |
| 1 July 2016 | Inaugural Xiamen Air service from Melbourne to Xiamen |
| 10 August 2016 | Landing of first A350 at Melbourne Airport by Singapore Airlines |
| 30 September 2016 | Inaugural Beijing Capital Airlines service from Melbourne to Shenyang |
| 9 November 2016 | Inaugural Hainan Airlines service from Melbourne to Xi’an and Melbourne to Changsha |
| 5 December 2016 | Inaugural Vietnam Airlines B787 service from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City |
| 16 December 2016 | Qantas daily service from Melbourne to Narita commences |
| 4 April 2017 | Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Los Angeles |
| 9 May 2017 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City |
| 2 June 2017 | Inaugural China Southern Airlines service from Melbourne to Shenzhen |
| 5 July 2017 | Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Hong Kong |
| 4 September 2017 | Inaugural Japan Airlines service from Melbourne to Tokyo |
| 12 September 2017 | First ‘pay as you go’ Marhaba Lounge opens |
| 13 September 2017 | Australia’s largest catering facility, Alpha Flight Services within the Melbourne Airport Business Park opens |
| 1 October 2017 | Inaugural Thai Airways service from Melbourne to Bangkok |
| 5 October 2017 | Inaugural LATAM Airlines service from Melbourne to Santiago |
| 29 October 2017 | Inaugural SriLankan Airlines service from Melbourne to Colombo |
| 1 November 2017 | Inaugural Tianjin Airlines service from Melbourne to Chonggong. Melbourne was the only Australian airport to be serviced by Tianjin |
| 17 November 2017 | Melbourne Duty Free by Dufry ‘next generation’ concept store opens in T2 departures |
| 20 November 2017 | T2 upgrade featuring customised hybrid desks for international airlines opens |
| December 2017 | The eighth baggage reclaim, the largest carousel at Melbourne Airport, becomes operational |
| December 2017 | Local craft brewery ‘Stomping Ground’ pops up a new beer garden called T3 ½ |
| 6 December 2017 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Zhengzhou |
| 12 December 2017 | T2 luxury retail and dining precinct opens |
| 17 December 2017 | Inaugural Xiamen Airlines service from Melbourne to Hangzhou |
| March 2018 | T4 named the best low - cost terminal in the Australia/Pacific region by Skytrax |
| 24 March 2018 | Qantas launches services from Melbourne to London Heathrow via Perth |
| 25 March 2018 | Inaugural China Airlines service from Melbourne to Taipei |
| 14 May 2018 | Melbourne Airport updates its brand identity |
| 3 June 2018 | Air Canada launches year-round service from Melbourne to Vancouver |
| 8 June 2018 | Inaugural Malindo Air service from Melbourne to Denpasar |
| 28 June 2018 | Qantas launches B737-800 service from Melbourne to Denpasar |
| 30 June 2018 | Aeronautical Services Agreement (ASA) with 37 airlines, representing 94% of the international carriers operating out of Melbourne fully executed |
| 14 August 2018 | Inaugural Cebu Pacific service from Melbourne to Manila |
| 1 September 2018 | Qantas recommences services from Melbourne to San Francisco |
| 13 October 2018 | Melbourne Jet Base located within the Melbourne Airport Business Park opens |
| 28 October 2018 | Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Queenstown |
| 19 November 2018 | Installation of Australia’s largest outdoor digital advertising screens on the T4 car park |
| 28 March 2019 | Australia’s first smart-security screening point in T2 unveiled |
| 9 May 2019 | New agreement with Qantas reached for the operation of T1 |
| 4 June 2019 | $100K annual community grants program announced |
| 18 June 2019 | Air Vanuatu recommences services from Melbourne to Port Vila |
| 24 June 2019 | Taxiway 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 2019 | First sod turned on construction of a new Accor Hotel in the airport’s Hive precinct |
| October 2019 | T2 arrivals hall expansion construction commenced |
| 31 October 2019 | Inaugural United Airlines service from Melbourne to San Francisco |
| December 2019 | T2 and T3 hospitality overhaul completed |
| 11 December 2019 | Multi-million dollar moving walkways inside T4 commence operation |
| Late 2011 | T2 expansion completed at a cost of $330M |
| December 2011 | The first ‘Victoria’s Secret’ store in Victoria opens at Melbourne Airport |
| December 2011 | Celebrity chefs Frank Camorra and Shannon Bennett open dining venues in T2 departures |
| 2012 | Runway overlay project completed at a cost of $55M |
| 17 April 2012 | A ‘Sister Airport’ agreement is signed between Melbourne Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport |
| 31 January 2013 | 100 millionth international passenger departs from Melbourne Airport |
| 27 February 2013 | Inaugural Sichuan Airlines service from Melbourne to Chengdu |
| 30 August 2013 | Inaugural Air India flight from Melbourne to Delhi. It was also the first B787 Dreamliner flight into Melbourne Airport |
| 28 October 2013 | Essendon 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 2013 | Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Phuket |
| 14 March 2014 | Melbourne Airport’s new air traffic control tower officially opens at a cost of $19M |
| 30 March 2014 | Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Osaka |
| April 2014 | Jetstar commences services from Melbourne to Tokyo |
| 3 April 2014 | Inaugural Royal Brunei B787 service from Melbourne to London via Brunei and Dubai |
| 28 October 2014 | Inaugural international United Airlines B787-9 Dreamliner service, from Melbourne to Los Angeles |
| November 2014 | Inaugural AirCalin service from Melbourne to Noumea |
| 26 December 2014 | Inaugural Indonesia AirAsia X service from Melbourne to Bali |
| March 2015 | Inaugural Tigerair service from Melbourne to Bali |
| 1 June 2015 | Inaugural Air China service from Melbourne to Beijing |
| 21 September 2015 | Lyell Strambi commences his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of APAC |
| 25 October 2015 | Inaugural China Airlines service from Melbourne to Taipei |
| November 2015 | First triple aerobridges with glass sidewalls to service the A380 at Bays D9 and D11 completed |
| 1 November 2015 | Inaugural Scoot Airlines service from Melbourne to Singapore |
| December 2015 | Emirates open their new T2 lounge |
| 9 December 2015 | T4 officially opened by Scott Morrison Federal Treasurer (2015 - 2018), at a cost of $225M |
| April 2016 | Papa, Uniform and Golf (PUGs) Taxiway Slab Replacement Program completed |
| 9 May 2016 | Etihad Airways new lounge opens at Melbourne Airport |
| 26 June 2016 | Emirates celebrates 20 years of flying to Melbourne |
| 1 July 2016 | Inaugural Xiamen Air service from Melbourne to Xiamen |
| 10 August 2016 | Landing of first A350 at Melbourne Airport by Singapore Airlines |
| 30 September 2016 | Inaugural Beijing Capital Airlines service from Melbourne to Shenyang |
| 9 November 2016 | Inaugural Hainan Airlines service from Melbourne to Xi’an and Melbourne to Changsha |
| 5 December 2016 | Inaugural Vietnam Airlines B787 service from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City |
| 16 December 2016 | Qantas daily service from Melbourne to Narita commences |
| 4 April 2017 | Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Los Angeles |
| 9 May 2017 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City |
| 2 June 2017 | Inaugural China Southern Airlines service from Melbourne to Shenzhen |
| 5 July 2017 | Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Hong Kong |
| 4 September 2017 | Inaugural Japan Airlines service from Melbourne to Tokyo |
| 12 September 2017 | First ‘pay as you go’ Marhaba Lounge opens |
| 13 September 2017 | Australia’s largest catering facility, Alpha Flight Services within the Melbourne Airport Business Park opens |
| 1 October 2017 | Inaugural Thai Airways service from Melbourne to Bangkok |
| 5 October 2017 | Inaugural LATAM Airlines service from Melbourne to Santiago |
| 29 October 2017 | Inaugural SriLankan Airlines service from Melbourne to Colombo |
| 1 November 2017 | Inaugural Tianjin Airlines service from Melbourne to Chonggong. Melbourne was the only Australian airport to be serviced by Tianjin |
| 17 November 2017 | Melbourne Duty Free by Dufry ‘next generation’ concept store opens in T2 departures |
| 20 November 2017 | T2 upgrade featuring customised hybrid desks for international airlines opens |
| December 2017 | The eighth baggage reclaim, the largest carousel at Melbourne Airport, becomes operational |
| December 2017 | Local craft brewery ‘Stomping Ground’ pops up a new beer garden called T3 ½ |
| 6 December 2017 | Inaugural Jetstar service from Melbourne to Zhengzhou |
| 12 December 2017 | T2 luxury retail and dining precinct opens |
| 17 December 2017 | Inaugural Xiamen Airlines service from Melbourne to Hangzhou |
| March 2018 | T4 named the best low - cost terminal in the Australia/Pacific region by Skytrax |
| 24 March 2018 | Qantas launches services from Melbourne to London Heathrow via Perth |
| 25 March 2018 | Inaugural China Airlines service from Melbourne to Taipei |
| 14 May 2018 | Melbourne Airport updates its brand identity |
| 3 June 2018 | Air Canada launches year-round service from Melbourne to Vancouver |
| 8 June 2018 | Inaugural Malindo Air service from Melbourne to Denpasar |
| 28 June 2018 | Qantas launches B737-800 service from Melbourne to Denpasar |
| 30 June 2018 | Aeronautical Services Agreement (ASA) with 37 airlines, representing 94% of the international carriers operating out of Melbourne fully executed |
| 14 August 2018 | Inaugural Cebu Pacific service from Melbourne to Manila |
| 1 September 2018 | Qantas recommences services from Melbourne to San Francisco |
| 13 October 2018 | Melbourne Jet Base located within the Melbourne Airport Business Park opens |
| 28 October 2018 | Inaugural Virgin Australia service from Melbourne to Queenstown |
| 19 November 2018 | Installation of Australia’s largest outdoor digital advertising screens on the T4 car park |
| 28 March 2019 | Australia’s first smart-security screening point in T2 unveiled |
| 9 May 2019 | New agreement with Qantas reached for the operation of T1 |
| 4 June 2019 | $100K annual community grants program announced |
| 18 June 2019 | Air Vanuatu recommences services from Melbourne to Port Vila |
| 24 June 2019 | Taxiway 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 2019 | First sod turned on construction of a new Accor Hotel in the airport’s Hive precinct |
| October 2019 | T2 arrivals hall expansion construction commenced |
| 31 October 2019 | Inaugural United Airlines service from Melbourne to San Francisco |
| December 2019 | T2 and T3 hospitality overhaul completed |
| 11 December 2019 | Multi-million dollar moving walkways inside T4 commence operation |
| 6 January 2020 | Australia’s first surf park URBNSURF opens within the Melbourne Airport Business Park |
| 7 February 2020 | Australia’s first airport brewery opens in T3, run by Stomping Ground Brewing Co. |
| 24 February 2020 | T4 Express Link project commences at a cost of $60M for stage one |
| 12 March 2020 | Grounding of aircraft due to closed international borders and limited interstate air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 21 April 2020 | Virgin Australia placed into voluntary administration |
| 12 May 2020 | Melbourne Airport named Best Airport in Australia/Pacific in the Skytrax 2020 World Airline Awards |
| 1 July 2020 | Melbourne Airport celebrates its 50th year of operation |
| 8 April 2021 | International flights into Melbourne Airport resume |
| 1 July 2022 | Lorie Argus was appointed CEO of Melbourne and Launceston Airport on July 1, 2022 after seven years as Chief of Aviation and Chief of Ground Transport |
| 10 August 2022 | We opened our Terminal 3 and 4 walkway linking the two domestic terminals within landside departures, as well as consolidated security screening at an expanded central location in Terminal 4 |
| 19 October 2022 | Laneway, Melbourne Airport’s Click and Collect Duty Free online shopping website re-opens |
| 22 November 2022 | We welcomed Hamish & Andy and guests on Rex Airlines flight HA 254 for their Slide Party |
| 8 March 2023 | We took part of an iconic all-female flight for International Women's Day (IWD). From end-to-end VA313 was crewed, handled and managed by female employees ranging from our Terminal Coordinator and Air Safety Officers to Cabin Crew, ramp staff, Air Traffic Controllers and pilots |
| 17 March 2023 | Melbourne Airport named the Best Airport in Australia/Pacific at the 2023 World Airport Awards by Skytrax. We were also awarded Best Airport staff in Australia/Pacific |
| 22 March 2023 | Melbourne Airport website gets a major upgrade and facelift |
| 13 April 2023 | Major upgrades to amenities including a parent’s rooms, all gender bathrooms, Changing Places and Animal Relief centres open Terminals 1, 3 & 4 |
| 14 July 2023 | Lotte Duty Free opens at Melbourne Airport Terminal 2 |
| 18 July 2003 | Naarm Way opens; it is an elevated express road from Tullamarine Freeway to T4 Car Park and Terminal 4 |
| 8 August 2023 | QR Codes are introduced to enter and exit all Melbourne Airport car parks |
| 1 September 2023 | We become the first and only airport in Australia to become a GreenPower approved provider. Our solar farms are also accredited under the GreenPower program, and we can distribute our own homegrown energy |
| 8 March 2024 | In honour of International Women's Day (IWD), we participated with an all-female flight for the second year in a row. Deborah Lawrie AM, Australia's first female pilot of a major airline, led the special Virgin Australia flight From end-to-end, flight VA313 to Brisbane was crewed, handled and managed by over 30 female employees from various roles, including pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff |
| 12 July 2024 | Interactive map of Melbourne Airport goes live on our website |
| 5 September 2024 | The Inaugural Car Park Sleepout is held. Volunteers sleep overnight in their car on the roof of Melbourne Airport's Terminal 4 Car Park to support women, non-binary people, and children experiencing homelessness due to family violence and raised money for Juno and McAuley charities |
| 1 July 2024 | We celebrated the opening of the dual-branded Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotels |
| 20 August 2024 | We announce an international baggage handling system major upgrade. The $500 million T2 Next project will deliver a world class baggage system for Melbourne Airport |
| 13 September 2024 | Our third runway was approved. This new 3,000-metre-long runway will be constructed parallel to the existing north-south runway and located 1.3 kilometres to the west. The project will also include the development of new taxiways and additional essential features. The green light for this project follows a comprehensive community consultation process and a detailed evaluation of the environmental and social implications |
| 14 September 2024 | Naarm Way Stage 2 announced. It will include a direct connection from the Tullamarine Freeway to new dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones for Terminals 1, 2 and 3, a direct exit to Departure Drive and Melbourne Drive, and easy passenger access from T123 parking to Terminal 2 |
| 17 September 2024 | We introduced four Mobility Hubs designed to assist travellers in navigating the airport's car parks, check-in areas, baggage halls, and passenger pick-up and drop-off zones. The Mobility Hubs are part of a four-month trial |
| 10 October 2024 | Melbourne Airport team members have brand-new uniforms. The uniform will be worn across various areas of Melbourne Airport, including our service partners |
| 18 February 2025 | Premium Valet, Qantas Valet and Premium Self Parking moved to Level 1 of the Terminal 1, 2, 3 Car Park |
| 2 March 2025 | More than 2,500 brand new trolleys are rolled out and 22 new trolley kiosks are strategically placed around the airport |
| 8 March 2025 | We joined forces with Air India and Airservices Australia to celebrate International Womens Day (IWD)with and incredible cross-continental celebration of women in aviation. From the skies to the tarmac, flight AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne and AI309 back to India were led, serviced, and supported by women - including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, air traffic controllers, and ground staff |
| 20 March 2025 | We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal and Victorian State Governments to progress the Melbourne Airport Rail Link. We look forward to finalising the path to construction and the delivery of this essential project for all Victorians |
| 26 March 2025 | Terminal 3 Arrivals has a new direct internal corridor on the ground level that connects Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 (with both stair and elevator access), along with the addition of two brand-new baggage carousels |
| 10 April 2025 | Melbourne Airport voted the Best Airport in Australia & Pacific at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards |
| 26 May 2025 | New location for T1 taxi rank and new dedicated T1 Uber zone. New T2 taxi rank to join the existing Uber rank, so international travellers can easily find Ubers and taxis right at the front door |
| 5 June 2025 | First episode of Airport 24/7 airs on Channel 10. This ten part series shows behind the scenes footage of what it takes to keep Melbourne Airport running 24/7 |
| 6 January 2020 | Australia’s first surf park URBNSURF opens within the Melbourne Airport Business Park |
| 7 February 2020 | Australia’s first airport brewery opens in T3, run by Stomping Ground Brewing Co. |
| 24 February 2020 | T4 Express Link project commences at a cost of $60M for stage one |
| 12 March 2020 | Grounding of aircraft due to closed international borders and limited interstate air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 21 April 2020 | Virgin Australia placed into voluntary administration |
| 12 May 2020 | Melbourne Airport named Best Airport in Australia/Pacific in the Skytrax 2020 World Airline Awards |
| 1 July 2020 | Melbourne Airport celebrates its 50th year of operation |
| 8 April 2021 | International flights into Melbourne Airport resume |
| 1 July 2022 | Lorie Argus was appointed CEO of Melbourne and Launceston Airport on July 1, 2022 after seven years as Chief of Aviation and Chief of Ground Transport |
| 10 August 2022 | We opened our Terminal 3 and 4 walkway linking the two domestic terminals within landside departures, as well as consolidated security screening at an expanded central location in Terminal 4 |
| 19 October 2022 | Laneway, Melbourne Airport’s Click and Collect Duty Free online shopping website re-opens |
| 22 November 2022 | We welcomed Hamish & Andy and guests on Rex Airlines flight HA 254 for their Slide Party |
| 8 March 2023 | We took part of an iconic all-female flight for International Women's Day (IWD). From end-to-end VA313 was crewed, handled and managed by female employees ranging from our Terminal Coordinator and Air Safety Officers to Cabin Crew, ramp staff, Air Traffic Controllers and pilots |
| 17 March 2023 | Melbourne Airport named the Best Airport in Australia/Pacific at the 2023 World Airport Awards by Skytrax. We were also awarded Best Airport staff in Australia/Pacific |
| 22 March 2023 | Melbourne Airport website gets a major upgrade and facelift |
| 13 April 2023 | Major upgrades to amenities including a parent’s rooms, all gender bathrooms, Changing Places and Animal Relief centres open Terminals 1, 3 & 4 |
| 14 July 2023 | Lotte Duty Free opens at Melbourne Airport Terminal 2 |
| 18 July 2003 | Naarm Way opens; it is an elevated express road from Tullamarine Freeway to T4 Car Park and Terminal 4 |
| 8 August 2023 | QR Codes are introduced to enter and exit all Melbourne Airport car parks |
| 1 September 2023 | We become the first and only airport in Australia to become a GreenPower approved provider. Our solar farms are also accredited under the GreenPower program, and we can distribute our own homegrown energy |
| 8 March 2024 | In honour of International Women's Day (IWD), we participated with an all-female flight for the second year in a row. Deborah Lawrie AM, Australia's first female pilot of a major airline, led the special Virgin Australia flight From end-to-end, flight VA313 to Brisbane was crewed, handled and managed by over 30 female employees from various roles, including pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff |
| 12 July 2024 | Interactive map of Melbourne Airport goes live on our website |
| 5 September 2024 | The Inaugural Car Park Sleepout is held. Volunteers sleep overnight in their car on the roof of Melbourne Airport's Terminal 4 Car Park to support women, non-binary people, and children experiencing homelessness due to family violence and raised money for Juno and McAuley charities |
| 1 July 2024 | We celebrated the opening of the dual-branded Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotels |
| 20 August 2024 | We announce an international baggage handling system major upgrade. The $500 million T2 Next project will deliver a world class baggage system for Melbourne Airport |
| 13 September 2024 | Our third runway was approved. This new 3,000-metre-long runway will be constructed parallel to the existing north-south runway and located 1.3 kilometres to the west. The project will also include the development of new taxiways and additional essential features. The green light for this project follows a comprehensive community consultation process and a detailed evaluation of the environmental and social implications |
| 14 September 2024 | Naarm Way Stage 2 announced. It will include a direct connection from the Tullamarine Freeway to new dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones for Terminals 1, 2 and 3, a direct exit to Departure Drive and Melbourne Drive, and easy passenger access from T123 parking to Terminal 2 |
| 17 September 2024 | We introduced four Mobility Hubs designed to assist travellers in navigating the airport's car parks, check-in areas, baggage halls, and passenger pick-up and drop-off zones. The Mobility Hubs are part of a four-month trial |
| 10 October 2024 | Melbourne Airport team members have brand-new uniforms. The uniform will be worn across various areas of Melbourne Airport, including our service partners |
| 18 February 2025 | Premium Valet, Qantas Valet and Premium Self Parking moved to Level 1 of the Terminal 1, 2, 3 Car Park |
| 2 March 2025 | More than 2,500 brand new trolleys are rolled out and 22 new trolley kiosks are strategically placed around the airport |
| 8 March 2025 | We joined forces with Air India and Airservices Australia to celebrate International Womens Day (IWD)with and incredible cross-continental celebration of women in aviation. From the skies to the tarmac, flight AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne and AI309 back to India were led, serviced, and supported by women - including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, air traffic controllers, and ground staff |
| 20 March 2025 | We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal and Victorian State Governments to progress the Melbourne Airport Rail Link. We look forward to finalising the path to construction and the delivery of this essential project for all Victorians |
| 26 March 2025 | Terminal 3 Arrivals has a new direct internal corridor on the ground level that connects Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 (with both stair and elevator access), along with the addition of two brand-new baggage carousels |
| 10 April 2025 | Melbourne Airport voted the Best Airport in Australia & Pacific at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards |
| 26 May 2025 | New location for T1 taxi rank and new dedicated T1 Uber zone. New T2 taxi rank to join the existing Uber rank, so international travellers can easily find Ubers and taxis right at the front door |
| 5 June 2025 | First episode of Airport 24/7 airs on Channel 10. This ten part series shows behind the scenes footage of what it takes to keep Melbourne Airport running 24/7 |
Junior Travellers, prepare for take-off
Designed especially for our future aviators, Junior Traveller is where you'll experience Melbourne Airport virtually.