Essential maintenance works on east-west runway at Melbourne Airport mean increased flights over north and south suburbs
Melbourne Airport kicks off essential maintenance works on its east-west runway this month.
Running from 21 January through to August, the project involves resurfacing, line marking, grooving and upgrading aeronautical ground lighting systems on the eastern section of Runway 09/27. Melbourne Airport will close the runway on Monday to Friday nights between 10pm and 6am, with works subject to weather conditions.
During closure periods, all aircraft will use the north-south runway, meaning communities to the north and south of the airport may experience additional overflights during night-time hours. Melbourne Airport’s east-west runway measures 2,286 metres, making it the shorter of the airport’s two runways.
Melbourne Airport east-west runway works
Where and when:
- Runway 09/27, Melbourne Airport
- Monday to Friday nights, 10pm to 6am
- 21 January through to August 2026
- Subject to weather conditions
Key details:
- 10,000 tonnes of new asphalt on a 27-metre-wide section
- Works designed to support safe operations for the next 10 to 12 years
- All aircraft will use north-south runway during maintenance windows
- Increased overflights for communities north and south of airport
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the works balance safety requirements with community impacts and operational needs at Australia’s largest 24-hour airport. Overnight closures ensure maximum operational flexibility during peak daytime hours while allowing critical maintenance to proceed.
Anyone with questions about the runway works can contact [email protected], while noise complaints can be directed to Airservices’ Noise Complaints and Information Service on 1800 802 584 or online.
Broader airport upgrades underway
Beyond runway maintenance, Melbourne Airport is advancing several major infrastructure projects to meet growing passenger demand. A $500 million international baggage system upgrade is nearing completion, with the new German-designed system more than doubling handling capacity from 1,800 to over 4,000 bags per hour. Enhanced tracking technology will pair every bag electronically to its carrier tote, reducing lost luggage and improving efficiency. A new dynamic bag store can hold up to 1,400 bags before automatically dispatching them when aircraft are ready to load.
December 2024 marked the busiest month for international travel in Melbourne Airport’s history, with more than 1.14 million international passengers passing through. International seat capacity now sits at 113 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, prompting planning for a major terminal expansion including up to five new widebody gates and increased check-in and baggage claim areas.
Looking further ahead, Melbourne Airport’s third runway is scheduled to open in 2031, supporting parallel runway operations and accommodating forecast growth from 36 million passengers in FY25 to around 76 million by 2042.
In late 2026, new free pick up and drop off zones will open in the T123 Transport Hub, serving terminals one, two and three with a dedicated Tullamarine Freeway exit and expanded space for passenger collections.
For more information, head here.
