Hobart Airport will soon start work on one of their “most significant projects” ever, with a $130 million runway upgrade that will bolster international travel set to begin in July.
The investment, funded jointly by the Federal Government and Hobart Airport, will allow the airport to accommodate direct, non-stop flights using modern wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.
“When this project is complete in 2025, it will open the door for international travellers to be able to fly directly to and from Hobart … removing the time and cost burden that comes with additional stops that puts off many tourists,” Airport CEO Norris Carter said.
“It also brings opportunities for Tasmanians to travel one-stop to Asia and Europe, without the need for mainland stopovers.”
Tasmania is currently the only state or territory in Australia without a runway strong enough to allow for wide-body aircraft operations, Carter said.
The upgrade will extend the runway to 2,727 metres and will also improve efficiency for Tasmanian produce exporters, giving farmers faster options to send their goods directly to key Asian markets.
The project is expected to create 197 jobs during construction and support over 1,200 jobs once completed, along with an annual economic boost of $122 million in tourism revenue.
Work is set to begin in July and be completed by mid-2025, with the first international flights arriving in late 2025.
“We’re backing Tasmania with the $130 million investment to upgrade the runway, plus our $200 million investment in the terminal and other $20 million investments in the carparks, forecourt and road network,” Carter said.
“The world wants what Tasmania has to offer and we’re committed to doing everything we can to meet the demand for Tasmania as a destination and as a producer.”
