Airport Master Plan

Learn about Darwin International Airport’s vision for the future in the latest Master Plan.

 

Planning for the future

Darwin International Airport Pty Ltd holds a 50-year lease (plus a 49-year option) over the Darwin International Airport site from the Commonwealth of Australia under the Airports Act 1996.

Darwin International Airport is also a joint-user airport under the Airports Act and a Joint User Deed with the Department of Defence governs the co-located operation of Darwin International Airport and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin.

The Airports Act requires that Darwin International Airport prepares a 20-year master plan, including an airport environment strategy, to guide the development of the airport site. Until recently, we were required to renew the master plan every five years; however, recent amendments to the Airports Act have extended this to every eight years.

Preliminary Draft 2023 Master Plan

The public comment period for the Preliminary Draft version of the Darwin International Airport 2023 Master Plan has now closed.

We are currently considering all feedback received during the public comment period as we prepare the Draft 2023 Master Plan to be submitted to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government for consideration.

2017 Master Plan

The 2017 Master Plan was approved by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport on 6 September 2017. It is available for download at the links below:

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty in the aviation industry, Darwin International Airport sought – and was granted – a 12-month extension from the Federal Minister to deliver the 2023 Master Plan. During preparation of the 2023 Master Plan, the airport sought an additional 6-month extension due to Defence considerations, which too was granted. So the previous 2017 Master Plan for Darwin International Airport remains valid until 6 March 2024.