The 2022 Melbourne Airport Master Plan was approved by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in November 2022.

Melbourne Airport currently operates two intersecting runways. As the aviation industry has evolved, parallel runway operations have become the preferred option for safety, efficiency and operability. Melbourne is one of the busiest airports in the world without a parallel runway system.

Long-term development plans for Melbourne Airport have included a four-runway configuration since the 1960s. From 1990 onwards, development plans for the airport identified parallel east-west and north-south runway systems as the preferred ultimate configuration. Consistent with this concept – and in accordance with the airport’s growing business demand – the 2022 Master Plan envisages a third runway being built in a north-south orientation. It remains the intention that a fourth runway will be developed in the future as demand necessitates.

The Airports Act 1996 requires all federally leased airports to prepare a Master Plan every 5 years to guide the future growth and development of the airport over the next 20 years.

• Sets the strategic direction for the airport
• Provides a plan for the development of the airport site
• Indicates to the public the intended uses of the site and development proposals
• Includes provisions to reduce potential conflicts between the uses of the site
• Ensures that uses of the site are compatible with areas surrounding the airport
• Ensures compliance with environmental legislation and standards

A copy of the 2022 Master Plan for Melbourne Airport is available to view and download below.