Airport Guide

History of Melbourne Airport

As Australia started to enjoy the benefits of mass tourism in the 1960s, it was decided that a new airport was needed to welcome the millions of international travellers heading into Melbourne.

Thus, Melbourne Airport was opened in 1970, with domestic flights soon supplemented by international services.

After years of steady growth, Melbourne was put on the global airports map when it was privatised in 1997.

This has led to major levels of investment being poured into the airport, allowing for the construction of new car parks, runways and passenger terminals, though most of the latter had been updated in the 1990s as part of a government-led rejuvenation scheme.

Travelling to Melbourne Airport

Located just 14 miles north-west of Melbourne city centre, the airport is easily reached by public and private transportation alike.

The best means of travelling between the terminals and downtown Melbourne is by bus, with the numerous operators servicing the route helping to keep prices down, while the journey takes an efficient 20 minutes.

Bus links are also available to nearly all of Australia's major cities and towns, in addition to regular services to nearby Bendigo Airport.

While a rail line has been under consideration for several years now, work has yet to begin on such an initiative, making road transportation the only option.

Fortunately for those wanting to travel independently, the airport is easily reached by private car as well as by hire car, with rental services available at the arrivals terminal.

Airlines flying from Melbourne Airport

Presently, more than 30 separate airlines fly to and from Melbourne, carrying millions of business and tourist passengers each year.

The country's national carrier, Qantas, has its own terminal at the airport, from where it offers domestic flights to destinations such as Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle, as well as international flights to cities such as Auckland, Hong Kong, London Heathrow, Shanghai, Singapore and Wellington.

Among the many fellow national carriers offering flights from Melbourne are Philippine Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai International, Air New Zealand and Air Canada.

Over recent years, Melbourne Airport has also grown as a low-cost flight hub, with Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways and Virgin Blue offering cheap flights domestically, for example to the Gold Coast and Alice Springs, while Pacific Blue operates budget services over to Auckland and Christchurch.

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Another article in this series is on London Heathrow Airport or you could use our search for more help