Brisbane Airport plans International Terminal overhaul

Brisbane Airport is planning for the ‘future of BNE’ with a revamp of its International Terminal. It begins with a complete re-think of the departure experience, starting at check-in. But there’ll also be changes to security screening, passport control, and to baggage handling behind the scenes.

Combined, Brisbane Airport describes its plans as ‘the most significant changes to the terminal since it opened 29 years ago.’ Here’s a look at what’s on the agenda for Australia’s third-busiest international airport.

Check-in streamlined at Brisbane Airport’s international terminal

Passengers departing Brisbane on international flights will begin their journey in a revitalised check-in hall. The airport’s more traditional-style desks will give way to a modernised hall focused on automation. Passengers will check in using a sea of kiosks designed to speed up processing rather than waiting in a queue. Many airlines at Brisbane Airport already rely on kiosks, but this change makes the technology universal across the terminal.

After dropping bags at automated counters, travellers will flow through to a newly designed security zone. Security screening is currently on a lower floor, squished into a windowless corner. Needing to expand the floor space given the larger size of modern screening equipment, Brisbane Airport had to rethink the entire approach.

Rather than expand that boxy screening room, Brisbane Airport is shifting screening upstairs. This comes with tarmac views and a great sense of space, given the high ceilings in the departure hall. Having personally spent a lot of time in the space that will become the new screening zone, passengers are sure to get a sense of flying before they’re even at the gate.

More kiosks and automated bag drop are set to keep things running smoothly.

Open space will continue to define Brisbane Airport’s check-in hall.

Security screening moves upstairs for some much needed extra space.

There’ll also be a significant expansion of the airport’s duty-free zone.

What’s more, new screening equipment will help speed things up. Right now, Brisbane Airport uses traditional baggage X-rays in most screening lines at the international terminal. This means removing laptops, liquids, aerosols, gels, powders, umbrellas – and the list goes on. With the upgrade, every screening lane will have the latest CT scanners instead. These allow passengers to leave everything in their bags: just drop each bag in a tray and stroll on through.

Our International Terminal is Queensland’s gateway to the world. After three decades of service, it’s well and truly time for a transformation, ensuring it’s ready to welcome the world for years to come. This building is worth billions of dollars to Queensland’s tourism economy and jobs every year.

– Gert-Jan de Graaff, Brisbane Airport CEO, 12 September 2024

A refreshed experience after security and on arrival

Behind the scenes, Brisbane Airport will upgrade its baggage handling system. As with the step change for the airport’s cabin baggage scanners, its checked baggage scanners will get a similar improvement.

Back on the passenger side of the glass, Brisbane Airport’s international terminal will play home to 31 retailers. For departing passengers, this continues to take advantage of the airport’s bright and airy design. There’ll also be a refresh of the public arrivals hall space to make better use of the vast available space.

A peek at Brisbane Airport’s plans for the departures hall (after immigration).

The arrivals hall gets a spruce up as well.

The changes are part of a three-year project set for completion in 2027. Over 110 million passengers have graced Brisbane’s International Terminal since it opened three decades ago.

Explore Brisbane Airport’s plan for its revitalised International Terminal by watching the video below.

Planning also continues for Brisbane’s new Terminal 3, which will house domestic and international flights in a single building.

Also read: Inside Emirates’ revitalised Brisbane Airport lounge

All imagery and video courtesy of Brisbane Airport.