Our airport has been connecting Brisbane to the world since the 1980s. Now the original runway needs major works to keep passengers safe.
Major rectification works will see 18 aging concrete slabs replaced at the end of the original runway. These slabs need to reliably carry up to 560,000 kilograms (the weight of an A380 ready for take off).
Weather permitting, the project will commence on 24 June and finish by the end of September.
At all times, the airport will remain open. People may notice temporary changes to where aircraft fly during this major work.
This year, works will include:
- Removal and replacement of 18 aging concrete slabs nearing their end of operational life
- Removal and reinstating of runway line-markings, airfield ground lighting, signage and entry point markings
- Curing time of concrete is approximately 28 days
Weather permitting, the project will commence on 24 June and finish by the end of September. The timing of these works is critical to ensure both runways operate safely.
During construction people may notice temporary changes to where aircraft fly, including overnight. The length of the runway will be temporarily shortened so we can safely facilitate the maintenance works while still having use of the runway. Most aircraft can come and go as normal. But international travellers on wide-bodied jets, around 30 flights each day, will be moved to the other runway. And half a dozen of those flights may be over the city between 10pm and 6am, if weather prevents them flying over the bay.
Frequently asked questions
Runways, like other type of infrastructure, are affected by the wear and tear of normal use. This program will replace the 18 aging concrete slabs which are nearing the end of their operational life.
The concrete would continue to degrade to the point where it was unsafe for aircraft to use the runway, and it would have to be closed. This is a preventative process that addresses the issues before they become safety risks.
During the project, construction workers will be working on the end of the runway. So we can safely facilitate the maintenance works while still having use of the runway, it's length will be temporarily shortened from 3.5 kilometres to 2.7 kilometres. For this reason, wide-body jets will need to operate from the New Parallel Runway.
We are optimising construction to get this work completed as efficiently as possible, while also ensuring safety for the workers.
The concrete slabs to be progressively installed will require 28 days to cure before they can carry the weight of an aircraft (up to 560,000kg for a fully loaded A380). Work is required at both ends of the runway. We'll complete the work on one end before moving to the other.
The project has been scheduled for the winter months as it is less likely for the works to be impacted by the wet weather resulting in less delays.
The Legacy Runway is normally 3.5km long but will be reduced to 2.7km during construction so we can safely facilitate the maintenance works while still having use of the runway. While the majority of aircraft that fly to and from Brisbane can continue to use the reduced runway length, it is too short for wide-body aircraft to operate safely. These aircraft can continue to fly their normal routes by using the new runway which is 3.3km long.
People may notice changes to the normal runway use, particularly for international flights, during the works period as the New Parallel Runway is not normally used for operations over the city between 10pm and 6am.
Schedules vary day by day. There will be approximately 30 flights each day, that would normally operate from the original Legacy Runway, that will need to be moved to New Parallel Runway during these works.
Of those, half a dozen flights will use the new runway between 10pm and 6am. Aircraft will continue to operate over the bay when the weather conditions allow.
If a domestic airline chooses to schedule a wide-bodied aircraft, this will also use the New Parallel Runway.
Travelling passengers should not notice any disruption to their services.
Halting international travel isn't an option for Queenslanders, our tourism industry, or exporters. We all remember the impact of closing Queensland during the pandemic. It’s taken two years to re-build the list of international destinations on offer to Queenslanders, which is now back to 30 direct locations via 26 international airlines. This connectivity is essential for Queensland.
No. The Noise Abatement Procedure prevents aircraft using the New Parallel Runway between 10pm and 6am under normal conditions however there are some exceptions where it is necessary. These include critical operational requirements, aircraft emergencies and extreme weather. This project is a critical operational requirement.
Yes, all runways require regular maintenance to remain safe and operational. At all times, one runway will be available for aircraft operations.
Upcoming regular maintenance for Brisbane's New Runway:
- Sunday 15 September - Brisbane's New Runway closed between 9am and 5pm
Upcoming major works for the Legacy Runway:
- Future pavement resurfacing is being planned for the Legacy Runway, this was last completed in 2016.
An awareness campaign has been launched more than two months prior to start date and includes print, online, television, broadcast catch-up services (BVOD), billboards, social media, direct email and Brisbane Airport’s mobile information van.
If your enquiry is in relation to a specific aircraft noise event, or you wish to make a formal complaint, please contact Airservices Australia.
If your enquiry is relating to the major works on the Legacy Runway, please contact Brisbane Airport via our feedback form.