Airport News

Adelaide Airport wants to invest $1 billion over five years to create 3,500 new jobs and help it cope with increased passenger numbers.

The airport released a new draft master plan today, outlining its objectives for growth, jobs and development over the next 20 years.

The plan has predicted international passenger growth of nearly 6 per cent per annum. Domestic passenger numbers are expected to increase by more than 4 per cent, and regional passenger numbers to grow by more than 3 per cent over the same period.

The preliminary report has also forecast a doubling of the airport's current $2 billion contribution to the South Australian economy.

Airport managing director Mark Young said there were plans to spend $1 billion on building infrastructure.

"We currently have around 17,000 people who are employed either at the airport or with businesses associated with the airport," he said.

"Our predictions are that will double over the 20 years of this master plan and we expect to see investment at the airport of around about $2 billion during that time."

However Mr Young said current flight restrictions would remain.

"We're not advocating anything in the master plan for any change to the existing rules," he said.

"Airlines are required to fly within the existing rules and all the master plan projections … are on that basis."

The preliminary draft plan will now go on public display until October 24, ahead of a draft master plan being submitted to the Federal Government later this year.