Airport making do with seating

PASSENGERS travelling to and from Townsville are being forced to make do with seating and amenities designed for significantly fewer people.

An Airbiz survey found Townsville Airport’s departure lounge is 42 per cent undersized based on current passenger numbers, which “significantly” impacted the comfort of travellers.

The report recommended a 25 per cent increase in the amount of passenger seating to accommodate the current level of traffic. The findings come as Townsville Airport operators remain locked in a stalemate with Qantas after the airline refused to introduce a $ 3 levy on passengers to help pay for a proposed $ 80 million upgrade project.

Townsville Airport chief operating officer Kevin Gill said the upgrade would tackle the capacity issues identified in the survey.

“We want a terminal that is effective, efficient and fit for purpose, which includes adequate seating and amenities,” he said.

Mr Gill said it was “not fair” of Qantas to make light of the proposed upgrade given the majority of passengers did not have access to a club lounge.

“We’ve demonstrated the need ( for an upgrade) because people are cramped,” he said.

Mr Gill said Virgin Australia had already agreed to the increase in charges to fund the upgrade and the Bulletin reported last week that passengers were happy to pay the charge to fund the upgrades.

“Before this, the airport charges have not moved in a decade and are less than a comparable airport,” he said.

Mr Gill said the Airbiz survey showed the majority of Qantas customers would be happy to pay the extra charge.

“The redevelopment of Townsville Airport is a high priority for the airport team, the Townsville community and regular users of the airport,” he said.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said he “fully supports” the user pays approach to upgrading the airport terminal to meet demand.

“The airport is the first thing that not only tourists but also business people visiting Townsville see,” he said.

“We want to make their first impression a positive one.”

Mr Stewart said he hoped all airlines would agree to help fund the upgrade.

“I’d like to see all airlines get on board as this is a growing airport that needs the expansion,” he said.