Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King has approved a new hangar development at Bankstown Airport, Aeria Management Group (AMG) announced today.
King approved the development in July for a $60 million facility that is expected to support up to 10 general aviation operations.
The new hangar is planned for the hardstand and grassed parking area bordered by the A, A3, C and K taxiways, occupying 1200 sqm of space airport operator AMG says is currently under-utilised.
AMG CEO Tom Smith said the development will help meet the needs of Australian aviation.
“The first-class hangar facilities will support critical general aviation operations, such as emergency and aeromedical services for metropolitan and regional areas” he said. “Bankstown Airport is a centre of excellence for aviation, innovation, economic growth and jobs.
"Thank you to Minister King, our owner Aware Super, our operators, partners and community for helping us gain approval for these high-quality facilities to support general aviation.”
AMG's Major Development Plan for the hangar justifies the project based an analysis of growth in the GA sector.
"This analysis identifies a strong and steadily growing demand for GA activities at the Airport," the development plan states. "The analysis identifies that GA activity in Australia increased from 1.53 million to 1.72 million hours flown between 2014 and 2019.
"Further, despite the decline in GA activity in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual hours flown have surpassed the level in 2019 in two years, reaching 1.79 million hours in 2022.
"Demand for GA activity at the airport is forecast to grow between 3.2% and 4.9% per year up to 2030. The airport is also well positioned to support the emerging AAM industry due to its urban location and proximity to major business and population centres across Sydney."
AMG submitted the Major Development Plan in February 2024 prior to the Federal Government released the 2024 Aviation White Paper and the publication of airspace changes due to the opening of Western Sydney Airport.