Sydney Airport has appointed architectural firm Grimshaw and engineering giant Mott MacDonald as lead consultants for a multi-year project that will physically join its T2 and T3 domestic terminals into a single precinct with up to 12 “swing” gates capable of handling international flights(australianaviation.com.au).
The terminal-link initiative is the centrepiece of the airport’s A$6 billion capital programme and dovetails with its Master Plan forecast of 72 million passengers a year by 2045. Chief Executive Scott Charlton said long-term design partnerships would speed approvals and deliver “a more seamless passenger journey”, aligning the existing airport with Western Sydney International’s integrated terminal model(australianaviation.com.au).
![Sydney Airport hires Grimshaw and Mott MacDonald to merge domestic terminals]()
For travel managers, the integration promises shorter connection times between Qantas and Virgin Australia flights, simplified security screening, and the possibility of adding international legs without changing terminals—an advantage for hub-and-spoke company itineraries. Construction phasing details have not been released, but early design work, site surveys and risk assessments are under way, with stakeholder engagement slated for later in 2026.
Airlines are expected to gain operational flexibility from the new swing gates, while retailers anticipate higher dwell times as passengers navigate the enlarged concourse. However, temporary stand-downs of gates and security lanes during construction could create short-term congestion, so corporates are advised to watch for schedule adjustments from mid-2027 onward.
The terminal-link initiative is the centrepiece of the airport’s A$6 billion capital programme and dovetails with its Master Plan forecast of 72 million passengers a year by 2045. Chief Executive Scott Charlton said long-term design partnerships would speed approvals and deliver “a more seamless passenger journey”, aligning the existing airport with Western Sydney International’s integrated terminal model(australianaviation.com.au).
For travel managers, the integration promises shorter connection times between Qantas and Virgin Australia flights, simplified security screening, and the possibility of adding international legs without changing terminals—an advantage for hub-and-spoke company itineraries. Construction phasing details have not been released, but early design work, site surveys and risk assessments are under way, with stakeholder engagement slated for later in 2026.
Airlines are expected to gain operational flexibility from the new swing gates, while retailers anticipate higher dwell times as passengers navigate the enlarged concourse. However, temporary stand-downs of gates and security lanes during construction could create short-term congestion, so corporates are advised to watch for schedule adjustments from mid-2027 onward.
Source: Australian Aviation
