Melbourne Airport welcomes the Federal Government’s approval of our third runway, which will deliver much needed aviation infrastructure capacity for Victoria and help support thousands of new jobs.

We hope the information on this page and our media release answer some of your questions about our third runway.

15 November 2024 

APPROVAL & PUBLICATION OF ‘MELBOURNE AIRPORT’S THIRD RUNWAY’ MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN 

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Honourable Catherine King MP, approved the Major Development Plan for the Melbourne Airport’s Third Runway project on September 10, 2024. 

Pursuant to this decision and in accordance with Section 96(2) of the Airports Act, Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne (APAM) is required to make the Final Major Development Plan available for public access.  

The process for approval also required preparation of a Supplementary Report. This report reflects the conduct and outcomes of the public exhibition held in 2022. A similar Supplementary Report was also prepared to support approval of the Melbourne Airport Master Plan 2022.  

APAM committed to sharing both Supplementary Reports along with the Final Major Development Plan upon approval of the third runway project. 

Digital copies of these documents are now available on our website [Third Runway Approved | Melbourne Airport]. Hard copies are available for review in our reception during office hours (9am-5pm Monday-Friday) in Terminal 4 at Melbourne Airport. 

2,128 submissions were received in response to consultation for the Major Development Plan and 713 in response to Master Plan 2022. To maintain privacy of the individuals who made submissions, we are not able to publish these however, individuals who contributed are welcome to contact us to view their submission and discuss how it was considered in the respective Supplementary Report. 

Reviewers of these documents are reminded that their content was produced in 2022 and that some related subjects have evolved since. For example, commentary on these subjects no longer reflects current circumstances: 

• Post-COVID passenger recovery which has now occurred  
• Discussions regarding the Melbourne Airport Rail project have progressed  
• The Aviation White Paper has been published 
• Regional Express jet services and Bonza have ceased operations  
• Western Sydney International Airport has achieved several development milestones 
• Construction of the Elevated Roads Stage 2 (Naarm Way Stage 2) has commenced  
• Moreland City Council has been re-named Merri-bek City Council 

The Minister’s conditions for the approval have also modified some elements of the project, including an intervening ‘Noise Sharing and Airspace Concept Plan’ before commencement of Detailed Airspace Design, and establishment of the ‘Eastern Extension Project’. These will be reflected through the runway’s development phases and in related consultations and projects. 

We are immensely grateful to Melbourne’s community for engaging with the Melbourne Airport’s Third Runway project proposal. We are excited to proceed with this important expansion of the airport that will serve and benefit our growing population and economy for many years to come.  

Please keep in touch via our website and social media channels for updates.  

Melbourne Airport's Third Runway MDP

Melbourne Airport's Third Runway Supplementary Report

Master Plan 2022 Supplementary Report

We have developed a tool that will help you to understand the likely flight path of planes that may use the third runway. You can also see the predicted noise impact and noise control measures that will be in place close to your address. The Flight Path and Noise Tool can be found here.

If you would like any more information about the third runway, please contact us via email on [email protected]