Qantas Group and Melbourne Airport (MEL) have signed a landmark commercial heads-of-agreement that will underpin an A$4.5 billion expansion of the airport’s international precinct and pave the way for additional ultra-long-haul services out of Victoria. The accord, announced on 24 July 2026, gives Qantas and low-cost arm Jetstar a 15-year commitment to new wide-body gates, premium check-in zones and a significantly enlarged baggage-reclaim hall that will also allocate extra space for Australian Border Force operations. Key to the pact is alignment with MEL’s long-planned third runway, now scheduled to open in 2031. Qantas intends to home-base part of its incoming Airbus A350-1000ULR fleet at Melbourne, enabling non-stop flights to markets such as Dallas, São Paulo and, subject to regulatory approvals, Paris. The airline will also build a new international business lounge – one-third larger than its current facility – by 2029. For corporate travel buyers the infrastructure boost promises greater seat inventory on key Asia-Pacific and trans-Pacific routes, reducing reliance on Sydney for premium long-haul connections. Relocation specialists note that faster border processing and additional ABF inspection zones could cut arrival times for assignees and air-freighted personal effects. Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Angus said the deal is “the most significant upgrade in the airport’s history” and predicted it would generate thousands of construction jobs while supporting Victoria’s ambition to capture a larger share of Australia’s international visitor market. Qantas CFO Rob Marcolina added that the expanded facilities will “unlock growth” and improve the experience for “millions of customers every year.” Project-specific planning approvals are expected to be lodged in early 2027, with major works commencing the following year. Mobility managers should monitor construction timelines, as temporary gate closures and landside traffic diversions are likely during the build phase.
Source: Travel Radar
