Gateway, Issue 8: March 2016

1 ISSUE 8 • MARCH 2016

 Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi and Federal Treasurer The Hon. Scott Morrison, at the official opening of Terminal 4.

Treasurer officially opens Terminal 4 Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 4 (T4) was officially opened on Wednesday 9 December 2015

by Federal Treasurer, The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, who unveiled a plaque celebrating Australia’s newest domestic terminal.

Mr Morrison praised the new terminal, describing it as an innovative and world class facility that greatly enhances the experience for customers and helps grow jobs in the tourism sector.

“Congratulations to Melbourne Airport for delivering Australia’s newest domestic terminal and for supporting the growth of air travel in Australia. The new

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Terminal 4 is a great example of modern infrastructure and it will help to drive jobs in Victoria and beyond,” said Mr Morrison.

Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said the official opening of T4 was a major milestone in the development of Melbourne Airport.

“T4 provides our passengers with a new level of service, and our airline customers the room to keep growing their business to meet demand for air travel.”

“T4 has been built in response to the tremendous growth in domestic aviation over recent years, with an ever-increasing

number of Australians choosing to fly for work and leisure.”

“There are many things to like about T4—it is the first terminal in the world to open as a complete self-service operation, incorporating the newest technology and facilities such as self-service check-in and automated bag drop.

“It features an impressive departure lounge, with a superb range of national and international food and retail brands, ensuring there is something for just about everyone.”

T4 is home to Jetstar, Tigerair and Regional Express and was opened to passengers in two

stages as the final touches to the customer experience, look and feel were completed.

Melbourne Airport welcomed Tigerair to T4 in August 2015 and Jetstar in November 2015.

Regional Express Airlines currently arrives at T4 and will soon move its check-in facilities to the new terminal.

T4 is located to the south of Terminal 3 and is built on 20,000 square metres over three levels and can accommodate up to 10 million passengers a year.

Almost 2 million passengers transited through T4 in the period from August to December 2015. 

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Supporting academic achievement in the Hume area  Chief Executive Officer

Message from Lyell Strambi This year is well upon us and for Melbourne Airport, 2016 promises to be a year of consolidation following several years of major building and infrastructure projects.

As we look back on 2015, it will be remembered as a milestone year. It was the culmination of the largest capital works program in the airport’s 45 year history as we completed construction on a new domestic terminal and ground transport hub, built new roads and poured what seemed like endless volumes of concrete for aprons and aircraft parking.

These capital investments were driven by the tremendous demand from passengers and the airlines that bring them here, both of whom continue to come to our great city in growing numbers. Our aim is to ensure all our customers have the services and facilities they need and expect, both now and into the future.

As a gateway to our city, Melbourne Airport prides itself on being part of ‘Team Victoria’ and working with state, local government and other partners to build our city’s prosperity.

Collaboration is critical and the CityLinkTulla road widening is a good example of this. Currently under construction, this joint Vicroads /Transurban project will increase road capacity by 30 percent and significantly reduce travel time to the airport from the city, benefitting locals and those visiting our state.

This project is recognition that a city is a sum of all its parts and the airport is determined to play its part as a member of ‘Team Victoria’ to ensure our city continues to be the best in the world. 

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º Melbourne Airport’s Carly Dixon, scholarship recipient Lucy Myers, and Jonathan Chee, from Banksia Gardens’ Aiming High program at the presentation ceremony in December last year.

Four Grade Six students from Gladstone Views Primary School were the proud recipients of scholarships in a new program sponsored by Melbourne Airport that aims to support young people to achieve their academic goals.

The scholarships will assist students with the cost of moving from primary to secondary school, particularly with essential items such as new books, stationery, uniforms and with public transport and internet access costs.

The students were the first to receive the scholarships at a special end-of-year presentation in December 2015.

Melbourne Airport Corporate and Public Affairs executive, Carly Dixon, said the scholarship program was part of the airport’s wider commitment to supporting educational initiatives in the local community.

“A good education is critical to improving the job prospects of

young people in the future. This program is our small contribution to that goal—to assist students with their everyday educational costs, so they can realise their potential.“ “Much of it has been inspired by the Western Chances scholarship program, a similar initiative that provides grants to young people in the western suburbs—and for which Melbourne Airport has been a proud sponsor since 2008.”

Ms Dixon said Melbourne Airport has partnered with Broadmeadows-based notfor-profit Banksia Gardens Community Services, who will administer the scholarship program in collaboration with local schools.

“Banksia Gardens will work with schools in the local area to identify the young people for whom a scholarship would be of most benefit. In addition to primary school students, we are also keen to offer scholarships this year to students in Year 11

and to expand the program to include more schools in the local area,” she said.

Melbourne Airport has committed $150,000 over three years as part of a partnership with Banksia Gardens. In addition to the scholarship program, the funding will allow Banksia Gardens to employ specialist maths and science tutors for its highly regarded Aiming High VCE Support program and Broadmeadows Study Group program, which is attended by over 100 young people each week.

Gina Dougal, CEO of Banksia Gardens Community Services, said the organisation was excited about its partnership with Melbourne Airport.

“It is fantastic to have Melbourne Airport as a partner supporting our young people. These scholarships do make a difference and we look forward to awarding many more scholarships in 2016.” 

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Brunetti serving up a little bit of Italy at Terminal 4 A little bit of Italy is being served at Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 4 with the arrival of iconic Melbourne coffee house and patisserie Brunetti.

Brunetti opened its Terminal 4 store in November last year and has been busy dishing up Italian and European-inspired, cakes, sweets and coffees along with delicious savoury options such as pizzas, foccacias and paninis.

Co-owner Yuri Angele said Brunetti was delivering an authentic Melbourne experience to passengers and visitors alike.

“Melbourne is the home of coffee and great food. We want our Terminal 4 store to be a taste of Melbourne for passengers and visitors who otherwise might not be able to make it to our Carlton or city stores,” he said.

“But more importantly, we want our food to be accessible.

Brunetti has always prided itself on great quality at a good price— we call it ‘affordable luxury’, which is premium products at decent prices, coupled with exceptional service from our highly trained team of baristas and servers.”

Mr Angele said Brunetti wanted “customers to have the total coffee experience, so our coffee

º Brunetti co-owner Yuri Angele in front of the coffee station at Terminal 4.

is blended to complement any patisserie product.”

A particular favourite is the ‘mignon’ or mini patisserie, which allows customers to try a variety of pastry-style desserts incorporating different fillings and flavourings. Brunetti’s savoury range features simple yet flavoursome fare such as Campagnola and Margherita Pizza in Pala, Prosciutto di Parma Focaccia and Panino Caprese.

Mr Angele said the Terminal 4 store emphasised express service,

 Profile Meet Michael Pirotta, Melbourne Airport’s Manager Commercial Aeronautical since 2010.

What does your role as Manager Commercial Aeronautical involve?

I am responsible for leading the commercial negotiations between Melbourne Airport and our international and domestic airlines on access to airport facilities and services.

The access agreements stipulate the terms and conditions by which airlines are able to utilise the services provided by Melbourne Airport, covering areas such as aerobridges, aircraft parking bays, baggage and check-in.

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Negotiating these agreements is a lengthy and detailed process and requires expert input from several areas of the organisation including operations, planning, legal and finance.

What is your background?

I am a CPA qualified accountant with experience in asset

with a central coffee ‘station’ turning out quality coffees in quick time.

“Coffee is our focus here and to make great coffee you need the right equipment.

We use only high-high-end coffee machines and grinders, which have been imported from Italy.”

“Brunetti has been a part of Melbourne since 1973. As Melbourne’s food culture has developed so has Brunetti and over the years it has become synonymous for Italian-style coffees, pastries and sweets.

“Brunetti is truly Melbourne, so we’re thrilled to have them join the Melbourne Airport family.”

Melbourne Airport Executive for Customer, Andrew Gardiner, said it was fantastic to have an icon of Melbourne’s food scene at the airport.

Brunetti’s flagship store is located at Lygon Street, Carlton. It also has two other city stores and an overseas presence at Singapore’s Tanglin Mall. 

management, costing, tax and financial accounting. Before Melbourne Airport, I worked in a diverse range of sectors. I was a factory accountant with Berri, worked for BOC gases, and was employed in the transport logistics and car component manufacturing sector. I enjoyed the Berri role as it involved a fair bit of travel from Melbourne to the town of Berri in the South Australian Riverlands, which is a fantastic escape from the city.

Describe working at Melbourne Airport?

What is your current focus?

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The current international airlines agreement ends in 2017, so we have commenced planning for the next negotiation with all 28 international airlines and our three domestic groups. The agreement is underpinned by passenger forecasts, which guide how we will provide the services needed for future airline growth.

I enjoy the diversity and complexity. I regularly work with people who have very different skillsets and this requires a good level of communication and industry understanding, especially during challenging commercial negotiations. It’s particularly satisfying when an agreement is completed.

As my role is people-focussed, I enjoy the interactions with staff and customers.

Melbourne Airport has some great people, who are continually contributing ideas and working hard to improve the airport experience for passengers and customers.

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4 Final concrete being poured on taxilane project It has taken three years and an estimated 170,000 man hours but the final concrete is being poured as part of Melbourne Airport’s taxilane slab replacement project.

 Customer Care Program Coordinator Virginia Smedley with Victorian Tourism Minister The Hon. John Eren and Melbourne Airport Executive for Customer Andrew Gardiner.

Airport volunteers win prestigious tourism award Melbourne Airport’s volunteers were recognised at the prestigious RACV Victorian Tourism Awards in November 2015, with the airport’s Customer Care Program winning the award for Outstanding Contribution by Volunteers.

The Customer Care Program was introduced in 2012 and in this short amount of time has proven to be a popular addition to the airport. A team of dedicated volunteers walk the terminal precinct, clad in yellow Customer Care vests, welcoming passengers and other visitors to Melbourne Airport and providing timely information about the airport’s services and facilities.

Customer Care Program Coordinator Virginia Smedley said it was fantastic that volunteers had been acknowledged for their contribution.

“Our volunteers love what they do—it shows in their positivity and warmth and it resonates with visitors, who appreciate their openness and willingness to help. “ “The program has over 150 volunteers, drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds. Each volunteer is assigned a four-hour shift and positioned throughout the airport.”

“Our volunteers are an integral part of the airport team. Some

A taxilane is an area of aircraft apron used for movement between the aircraft parking bays and the main taxiway system.

The $80 million project is due to be completed in April and has involved the replacement of the original 40-year old taxilane concrete with 120,000 tonnes of new concrete.

The project has been a logistical challenge, with construction work undertaken in stages to minimise disruption to aircraft and ground transport on the airfield. A special rapid set concrete has been used for busy taxilanes, which meant the concrete could be poured overnight and be ready for use by a fully laden aircraft just six hours later! Standard concrete was used for areas with less traffic, which required a cure time of four to six weeks.

The project involved the pouring of over 2,000 individual concrete slabs, each 500mm thick and weighing 60 tonnes. 

have previously worked in aviation, some are aviation enthusiasts, while others enjoy the airport environment and the interactions with visitors.”

Ms Smedley said the airport introduced the program to enhance the customer experience for both international and domestic visitors.

“The program has exceeded all expectations since we introduced it. The airport is the gateway to Melbourne and is often the first point of contact for visitors, so we wanted to provide a service that left a positive first impression of Melbourne.”

“Furthermore, we have also been surprised by the strong interest from people wanting to volunteer, which goes to show how important the airport is to many people,” she said.

The Outstanding Contribution

by Volunteers award celebrates the commitment of volunteers in contributing to the positive image of tourism in Victoria. It was one of several awards presented at the RACV Tourism Awards gala dinner held on 16 November at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Email customer.care@melair. com.au to register your interest in becoming a customer care volunteer. 

Public bus interchange now located at T4 The public (PTV) bus interchange at Melbourne Airport has moved from Terminal 1 to a new fully covered interchange at Terminal 4.

Route 901: Melbourne Airport to Frankston (Smartbus service)

Route 478: Airport West to Melbourne Airport

The SkyBus airport to city shuttle service also stops at Terminal 4, which is in addition to the terminal 1 and 3 stops.

Skybus services run every 10 minutes from 6am to 11pm and every 15 to 30 minutes at other times.

Route 479: Airport West to Sunbury via Melbourne Airport and return

For public bus timetable and route information, visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au.

Route 482: Airport West To Melbourne Airport (via South Centre Road)

For information on SkyBus services, go to www.skybus.com.au.

The change took effect on 30 November 2015 and applies to the following PTV services:

 Keep up to date on what’s happening at Melbourne Airport by: Bookmarking our website at www.melbourneairport.com.au Like us on Facebook at:

Melbourne International Airport (MEL)

Follow us on:

@melair

melbourneairportau

Contact us via the community relations line (03) 9297 1597 or community@melair.com.au

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