Melbourne Airport Third Runway Construction Begins: 2025 Timeline, Traffic Changes & Community Impact

Few countries are reliant on air travel as Australia. There's no getting around it, you need to fly to get things done and to get in and out of the country. The distances are so big the economy would go nowhere without reliable air transport. Preparing for future needs is, therefore, of paramount importance. While Sydney has gone down the path of constructing a new airport (Western Sydney Airport), Melbourne thanks fewer constraints has had the luxury of expanding its current footprint by building a new, third, runway.

Melbourne Airport Third Runway Construction Commences in August 2025

Unlike Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, Melbourne Tullamarine isn't locked in on all sides by residential and commercial real estate. Melbourne's main airport has plenty of space around it to expand into to build its third runway.

The new runway was approved by the Federal Government in 2024 with work finally getting started now to build the new landing strip. The runway's total cost is of approximately 3 billion dollars (AUD).

Currently Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport operates a two runway system:

The current runways can't be used simultaneously as they intersect. Additionally, runway 09/27 is only usable by smaller lighter aircraft and not by any long range capable jets. That means that all long haul operations lean on runway 34/16.

Melbourne Airport's new third runway will be build parallel to runway 34/16 to the west of the current airfield. Therefore current runway 34/16 will become 34R/16L and the new one 34L/16R. Separation between runways will allow for simultaneous landings and takeoffs considerably enhancing the airport's overall passenger capacity.

The Timeline of The New Melbourne Airport Third Runway

As you might have imagined, building a runway isn't an easy task, nor is it something you can get done in a couple of years. It's a multi-phase process which will take 5 years to complete with another additional year of testing before the runway becomes available to the airport. The timeline of the project looks something like this:

• 2025: construction of access roads for workers and equipment.
• 2026 to 2028: digging and leveling the runway surface.
• 2028 to 2030: paving and installing navigation equipment and lighting followed by markings being applied.
• 2030 to 2031: runway testing.
• 2031: runway enters commercial service with first flights.

Sunbury Road Traffic Changes Starting September 2025

As mentioned in the prior section the first step in the runway construction is creating access roads and infrastructure that will support the workers and machinery doing their job.

What that boils down to is widening of roads, paving new ones to get onto the new airport premises and creation of intersections with existing roads.

Sunbury road, north of Melbourne Tullamarine airport will be widened and and new crossings with temporary traffic lights will be setup.

What Drivers Need to Know About Road Upgrades

Specifically the new intersections and traffic lights will be installed between Oaklands road and Wildwoods road. This will all happen starting September 2025. Traffic will certainly intensify during the creation of the intersections and will continue to slow down drivers during the entire runway construction phase.

12-Month Construction Timeline for Airport Access

The first phase of setting up the infrastructure for construction machinery and workers will take approximately 1 year. Things will stabilize after the completion of work on Sunbury Road.

Noise Amelioration Plan: Community Consultation Now Open

Now a new runway along with creating new opportunities for work, the local economy, and air travel also creates noise. More aircraft will be flying in and out of Melbourne international airport on a different approach path. That means there will have to be action taken to reduce the effect this will have on the local communities. In that regard noise amelioration community consultations are ongoing. This will identify where and to which extent remedies to reduce noise to residents are needed.

Which Areas Are Eligible for Noise Reduction Measures

Noise forecasts in 2026 will determine eligibility for properties, however, most affected areas are in Hume and Brimbank local government areas. They cover most of the area to the immediate south of where the new third Melbourne Tullamarine runway will be.

Building Improvements Available to Residents

For those most affected by the new runway house improvements will be provided. They will include:

• Roof insulation
• Double glazed windows
• Upgraded seals

This all together should help reduce to a minimum the perceived noise from overpassing aircraft.

Melbourne Airport Third Runway Opening Date: 2031

Six years from now the runway, if all goes according to plan, the runway will welcome its first landings and takeoffs. 2031 is the year set for the opening of Melbourne Airport's third runway. The runways has been identified as a fundamental asset not only for the airport itself but for the city of Melbourne and the state of Victoria.

Economic Benefits: 37,000 New Jobs by 2046

The construction of the new Melbourne third runway, the airport authority states, will create up to 37,000 new job opportunities in and around the airport by 2046.

Impact on Victorian Tourism and Exports

Additionally, the larger number of flights the airport will be able to handle with the new third runway at Melbourne airport will enhance trade and tourism opportunities. More flights will allow more passengers and cargo to flow.