History

1 Feb 1962 Qantas 707 "City of Perth" operates the first scheduled jet service into Perth, whilst operating SYD -LHR.

In early 1942, the area on which Perth Airport is now located was converted from the Dunreath golf course to an RAAF base, which operated until the end of World War II in 1945.

In 1943, the first runway was built by Western Australia's Main Roads Department for RAAF fighters, with a second strip being laid down a year later. In 1944, the Government agreed to allow Australian National Airways Pty Ltd (ANA) and Qantas to operate from this site in Guildford, as Maylands had become inadequate for their larger commercial aircraft.

Guildford Aerodrome officially changed its status and name to Perth Airport in September 1952. In March 1953, the then new international terminal was completed at a cost of AU$180,000, being built from second-hand wartime materials. The main domestic airlines moved out of their separate hangars in 1962 and into the first combined Domestic and International Terminal.

In November 1980, the Federal Transport Minister, Ralph Hunt, announced a new international terminal would be built in Perth. On 25 October 1986, Prime Minister Bob Hawke unveiled the A$60 million International Terminal on the eastern side of the airport, complete with a new control tower.

The Federal Airports Corporation (FAC) was formed in 1988 to manage the larger Australian airports as self-funding commercial entities. FAC implemented a major enhancement of retail outlets at the International Terminal and oversaw the redevelopment of the Domestic Terminal facilities by Ansett and Australian Airlines.

On 2 July 1997, Perth Airport Pty Ltd (formerly Westralia Airports Corporation Pty Ltd) took up a 99-year leasehold interest over Perth Airport as part of the first phase in the privatisation of airports in Australia, and has since operated the airport and its 2,105 hectare estate.

1999

First 20-year Master Plan approved

2002

Ansett collapses

2005

$25m extension to T1

2008

$100m in capital works programs invested

2009

$21m apron completed for ‘Terminal WA’

Inaugural Partnership Agreement signed with representatives of the Noongar families associated with the land on which Perth Airport operates

2010

$9m Upgrade of Domestic forecourt (T3/T4)

2013

Terminal 2 opens

Outdoor viewing platform opens

2015

$80m Terminal 1 International Arrivals expansion completed

Airport Drive opens and connects Perth Airport to the new Gateway WA interchange

$220m Terminal 1 Domestic opens, home to Virgin Australia domestic services

2016

$157m Terminal 1 International Departures expansion completed

The Antonov AN 225 Mriya visited Perth Airport

2018

$36m invested in CAT III lighting

First non-stop Perth-London service with Qantas Airways

Terminal 3 converted to International and Domestic operations for Qantas services

The Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) opens

Perth Airport launches new-look Brand

2019

Perth Airport takes over operations of Terminal 4 after a 30-year lease with Qantas ends

2020

Costco opens

Covid-19 pandemic

Skybridge completed linking the new station with Terminal 1

2021

First Reconciliation Action Plan produced

2022

Airport Central Train station opens as part of the Forrestfield-Airport link

2023

Neighbourhood Shopping Centre opens

2024

PAPL announces $5 billion investment program including new runway, two multi-storey car parks, hotel and new terminal

Work starts on first multi-storey car park