Council has adopted a new 10-year strategic plan to guide the next chapter of Bendigo Airport’s operations, including a goal to welcome 200,000 people through the terminal by 2034.
The Bendigo Airport Strategic Plan 2024-2034 focuses on four key areas – infrastructure, safe and compliant operations, products and services, and financial sustainability.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said Bendigo Airport had transformed in a short space of time.
“Since 2017, the airport has welcomed a new runway, new emergency services infrastructure, the introduction of a daily QantasLink passenger service to and from Sydney, and new terminal building and business park,” Cr Metcalf said.
“The broader precinct also welcomed the RMIT flight training program, 19 new tenants constructed hangar facilities and a new leasing strategy was introduced.
“Looking forward, it is our goal for the airport to support Bendigo’s role as a connected, regional transport hub, and ensure it is a sustainable social and economic asset for north-central Victoria.
“Central to achieving this will be the development of relevant and sustainable services and operations that are financially viable and meet community need, compliance with all regulatory requirements, delivery of exceptional customer service, and the continued provision of suitable infrastructure.
“Our conversations with airlines are ongoing, and we remain committed to advocating for increased flight frequency, competition and delivering flights to more destinations.
“Given the incredible growth and success of the airport in recent times, we very much want to maintain this momentum and the strategic plan will help ensure the airport continues to go from strength to strength.”
Highlights of the Strategic Plan actions include:
- Development of a master plan for the site to guide future investment and growth of the airport
- A robust aviation expansion plan to address both frequency, competition and destination choice in airline operations to enable 200,000 passengers to pass through the terminal by 2034, grow other aviation activity, including resident/general aviation/emergency and essential service aviation activity on-site
- A future-focused approach to further infrastructure and service development, considering changing aviation technologies and trends, and the opportunities which they may present
