Parafield Airport's Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) was released for public comment this week, and predicts a 38% increase in movements over the next 20 years, and over 2000 more jobs generated by the airport.
The PDMP covers Parafield Airport Limited's (PAL) plan for the period November 2017 to November 2022, but has a planning horizon out to 2036.
"Parafield Airport is the principal general aviation and pilot training airport in South Australia," says PAL Managing Director, Mark Young in his foreword.
"It is important that the potential of this airport is fully realised to fulfil the expectations of the community for safe, effective and efficient air training and aviation-related services. This can be achieved by bringing together international airport expertise, service providers and financial strength to ensure that the airport is developed in an effective manner in concert with stakeholders’ requirements and expectations.
"This Master Plan represents the intentions that PAL has to develop the airport, providing local and regional employment opportunities within an ever-expanding community, whilst enhancing its character and history in the area."
According to PAL, the increase in movements is expected to be driven by an increase in Asian airline travel, which in turn will mean more pilots being trained at Parafield to meet the demand. Parafield's largest flying academy, Flight Training Adelaide, accounts for the majority of movements and has trained students from Qantas, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines and Dragonair among others.
Movements at Parafield for the 2016 calendar year were 213,990, but PAL is predicting this will reach 345,437 by 2036, which is still below the practical capacity of 450,000.
The increase in movements is expected to generate an extra 2821 full-time equivalent jobs. PAL's analysis shows that number to be 2445 currently.
Despite the forecasts being well below the current airport capacity, PAL has plans to further develop the aviation infrastructure at Parafield over the next five years, including:
- upgrade of taxiway Sierra to Code B
- expansion and construction of run-up bays that are already at capacity
- resealing runway 03L/21R to continuous 30 m
- sealing taxiway Alpha
- constructing a new aviation site at the southern boundary
"PAL’s vision is to be an aviation training centre of excellence and a vibrant economic hub, recognised for our positive influence on the community and economy," Young says.
The PDMP is open for comment until 18 October 2017 and can be downloaded from the Parafield Airport website.