Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has confirmed plans to rename its existing terminals and begin development on a third, modular terminal as part of a sweeping infrastructure upgrade designed to meet rising passenger demand over the next two decades.
Terminal Renaming Aligns Brisbane With National Norms
In a move aimed at harmonizing Brisbane Airport’s infrastructure with other major Australian hubs, the current international terminal will be renamed Terminal 1 (T1), and the domestic terminal will become Terminal 2 (T2). The proposed new terminal, situated between the airport’s parallel runways, will be designated Terminal 3 (T3).
According to reporting from Australian Aviation, this change is outlined in Brisbane Airport’s preliminary draft 2026 Master Plan and comes in anticipation of significant passenger traffic growth. Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth already number their terminals, and Brisbane is expected to follow suit to streamline identification and planning.
Passenger Growth Projections Drive Infrastructure Expansion
The projected rise in both domestic and international air travel underpins the urgency behind this strategic transformation. The Master Plan forecasts substantial increases in passenger traffic by the early 2030s, prompting the need for new and adaptable terminal infrastructure.
“Planning studies for Brisbane Airport indicate that when domestic passenger numbers reach 25 million passengers per annum (anticipated around 2032), additional terminal floor area will be required for domestic operations and processing facilities,” the plan read.
“It is also anticipated that additional international terminal capacity will be required when the existing Terminal 1 reaches 10–12 million passengers (anticipated around 2030–34).
“A new modular terminal allows for passenger processing and handling spaces that can be progressively developed in a manner that is able to adapt to future seamless passenger processes and co-location of domestic and international operations.”
The modular nature of T3 allows for a flexible, phased construction approach. The first stage of Terminal 3 is expected to be completed in the early-to-mid 2030s, with the facility designed to accommodate both domestic and international flights. The terminal’s design will be future-proofed to allow for expansion in line with demand.
Community Pushback Highlights Environmental and Social Concerns
While the proposed changes are framed as necessary upgrades to support passenger demand and economic growth, they have not been universally welcomed. The Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance (BFPCA), a long-standing critic of airport expansion in the region, has raised alarms over the projected surge in aircraft movements and the associated consequences for local communities.
BFPCA projects that the Brisbane Basin could see up to 600,000 flights annually by 2046, including 195,000 from nearby Archerfield Airport.
“Almost 600,000 flights a year or 1,600 a day in the Brisbane Basin is not a sustainable future. It is a recipe for health impacts, sleepless nights, and declining liveability,” said Marcus Foth, Chairperson of the BFPCA.
“BAC’s so-called sustainability plan is a sham when one of its anchor tenants is still operating 1970s aircraft on toxic lead-based avgas fuel.
“The master plan lays out a vision of wild aviation growth, worsening noise and pollution, heavier night-time disruption, and greater road congestion – all while glossing over negative impacts and limiting genuine community consultation.”
The BFPCA’s response underscores a growing tension between infrastructure development and quality of life in areas surrounding major transport hubs. Critics argue that while the airport’s long-term vision emphasizes growth, it inadequately addresses the broader social and environmental consequences.
The $5 Billion Transformation Behind Brisbane’s Aviation Future
Brisbane Airport’s renaming and Terminal 3 development are only parts of the broader $5 billion “Future BNE” transformation program. This ambitious initiative encompasses multiple projects, including:
- Renovations to existing domestic and international terminals
- Construction of the Terminal 3 precinct
- Expansion of aircraft parking and apron space
- Runway resurfacing
- Creation of a centralized aeromedical facility to streamline emergency and repatriation services
These projects are intended to boost Brisbane’s position as a key node in Australia’s aviation network and to accommodate long-term growth in both passenger and cargo traffic. Yet, their implementation will require careful balancing between expansion goals and community expectations.
