Perth Airport has revealed concept designs for its new terminal, the main project in the multi-billion-dollar One Airport program to consolidate flight services into one central precinct.
Developed with Australian firm Woods Bagot, the architectural vision “Big Sky/Deep Earth” draws on the relationship between the Western Australian sky and the land of Whadjuk Noongar Country. The airport said the design embeds cultural knowledge, local landscapes, climate and light, but that functionality, capacity and efficiency for passengers and airlines were the main drivers.
At 159,000m2, the terminal will be nearly triple the size of Terminals 3 and 4 and 25% larger than Terminals 1 and 2 combined. It will add 22 contact gates for wide- and narrow-body aircraft, including ‘swing gates’ that can switch between international and domestic operations.
Perth Airport handled a record 18.4 million passengers in FY26, including 5.55 million international travelers. It forecasts total passenger numbers will reach 30.8 million by FY 46, with international passengers more than doubling from FY 25 levels to 11.4 million.
Planned passenger features at the new terminal include:
- Automated check-in and bag drop, including for oversized items;
- A baggage handling system able to support services such as baggage reclaim on demand and courier pickup and drop-off;
- Call-to-gate initiatives to minimize queue time at gates; and
- A co-located domestic and international security checkpoint.
The design also includes about 10,000m2 of retail, dining and hospitality space, sensory and multi-faith rooms, a playground, parent rooms, and a central landscaped courtyard.
“A good airport moves passengers efficiently, but a great airport also gives them a sense of the destination they are in – this design delivers both outcomes,” said Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters. “We have aimed high when it comes to building sustainability into the design, as well as ensuring accessibility for people of all ages, ability and background.”
“This multi-billion-dollar investment further strengthens Perth’s position as Australia’s Western Gateway, an important role given that 95% of visitors to the State arrive by air,” said Western Australian Premier Roger Cook.
Perth Airport currently generates around A$6.6bn (US$4.6bn) in annual economic benefit to Western Australia. The airport forecasts this will rise to around A$18bn (US$12.6bn) a year by 2046, driven by One Airport, which also includes a new runway, road upgrades, transportation hubs, a hotel and urban development.
Procurement for the new terminal main works package has entered a request for tender phase, with early contractor involvement and contract award to follow in 2027.
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