Adelaide Airport gets all clear – finally
After months of delay and anguish, the new Adelaide airport $260 million facility, which was officially opened last year, has been given the all clear to begin operating this week.
Domestic flights have been unable to use the terminal because of a problem with the fuel pipelines, but Exxon Mobile announced on Friday that the problem has been fixed.
Airlines Qantas and Virgin Blue have welcomed the news and hope to start using the new terminal from next Friday. Premier Mike Rann says the opening will end years of sub-standard airport facilities in Adelaide.
“The biggest concern that we had was the fact that we’ve got the festival, we’ve got the Clipsal, we’ve got Womadelaide, we’ve got the Magic Millions, so my concern was that the airport wouldn’t be ready in time for the biggest influx of tourists that we’ve probably ever seen in this state,” he said.
“For years Adelaide has been let down by its airport, for years we’ve had an airport that’s been sub-standard; so at last we’re getting a first-class airport; it’s a few months late but it’s going to be around for decades,” he said.
The news is not all good, however, with tensions between Adelaide Airport’s management and regional airline Rex escalating. Rex had complained that its passengers were being inconvenienced by long walks and delays at the new facility.
The carrier is demanding an apology over comments by the airport’s managing director.
The airport boss, Phil Baker, has been quoted as saying Rex contributed to problems by choosing to move into the new terminal early.
Rex says the comments are preposterous and it wants a public apology.
Graham Muldoon
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