A new online journey planner will help give travellers confidence to navigate the biggest change to Melbourne Airport’s road network in more than 50 years, ahead of the opening of new Pick up and Drop off zones.
The new Pick up and Drop off zones provide significantly more space than the congested departures ramp and forecourt and will pave the way for $4.5 billion in privately funded projects to expand the international terminal.
The changes to Pick up and Drop off will take effect from October and represent the biggest change to Melbourne Airport’s road network since it opened in 1970.
The online tool allows travellers flying on Qantas, Virgin Australia and international flights to visualise the new exit off the Tullamarine freeway to Drop off, as well as the corresponding journey from the north.
It also allows people picking up travellers from Terminals 1,2 and 3 to understand the new route they will need to take for access to the new, free and undercover Pick up zone.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Ground Transport Jai McDermott said the online tool would help passengers navigate the airport’s new road network with confidence.
“The opening of our new Pick up and Drop off zones in October will be a big change for our travellers,” he said.
“People travelling on Qantas, Virgin Australia and international flights will need to exit left from the Tullamarine Freeway earlier than they do currently and use our new elevated roads to access the Pick up and Drop off zones.
"The new Pick up and Drop off zones will function the same way as the successful T4 Ground Transport hub, but on a much larger scale.
“We’ll have plenty of staff on the ground to help people navigate the new facilities but this tool will help people understand how their specific journey is changing before they arrive at the airport.
“The new free Pick up and Drop off zones will provide a significant improvement on the congested spaces we have been using since 1970 and effectively create a new front door to the airport.
“We want people to feel confident using the new road network, which is why we have invested in this online tool, so we would encourage people to explore it before the changes take place in October.
“Alongside the new road network, we’ll be expanding our complimentary Melbourne Airport Assist program to ensure people with mobility issues have the support they need to move around the precinct.”
The journey planner can be accessed at www.melbourneairport.com.au/pick-up-and-drop-off-hub