Images: Adelaide Airport
There’s an important heads-up for Adelaide’s plane spotting community, as construction on a brand new 1,100-space car park is kicking off at Adelaide Airport this month, and it’s going to change the landscape around one of the airport’s most popular aircraft photography spots.
Running until July 2026, the build is part of Adelaide Airport’s broader, long-term infrastructure vision. In the short term, the site will see increased heavy-vehicle movement, particularly around Richmond Road and through the airport grounds. The Richmond Road Bridge is also scheduled to be out of action from mid-January, making access a little trickier for photographers who regularly set up nearby to capture arriving and departing aircraft.
The new car park comes off the back of Project Flight, Adelaide Airport’s $600 million aeronautical infrastructure upgrade program, designed to support the city’s aviation needs well into 2050. With an increase in people flying in and out, there’s been a need for some upgrades.
Adelaide Airport is adding up to nine new aircraft parking positions, extra gates and aerobridges, and significant terminal expansions at both the northern and southern ends. The northern terminal upgrade will kick off in early 2026, bringing new domestic gate lounges and aerobridges, while southern terminal works, including new domestic and regional gates, are planned for early 2027.
Passengers will also notice upgrades to security screening, with body scanners and 3D x-ray bag scanners already rolling out, as well as improved family facilities including a new play space, sensory room and upgraded gate seating across the terminal.
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox said back in August that the works are essential to meet record passenger numbers and growing airline connectivity. “Our passenger numbers are at record levels, and we are planning for that airline connectivity to continue to grow – so we are also continuing to deliver the infrastructure required to accommodate that growth.”
For plane spotters, this is a reminder that change is coming, but so are more aircraft, more movements and a busier, more connected airport. The next time you adjust your lens or scout a new location, you’ll be witnessing Adelaide’s aviation future taking shape in real time.
For more on Project Flight, click here.
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