Melbourne Airport reveals draft 2027 Master Plan

The Master Plan 2027 outlines how Melbourne Airport will evolve to support passenger growth, improve transport connections, expand terminal and airfield capacity, strengthen Victoria’s economy and embed sustainability into future development.

This includes how people and goods travel to, from and around the airport, terminal upgrades and expansions, and airfield and business park developments that will help support Victoria’s growth and keep its people connected.

What the draft Master Plan covers

Passenger growth 
Melbourne Airport expects to welcome around 75 million passengers each year by 2047.

Better ground access 
The plan outlines stronger local links, including a new road network, improved bus connections, a suburban rail link to the city via Sunshine, and future high-speed rail links to regional Victoria and New South Wales. 

Terminal expansion 
An expanded international terminal will create more space and flexibility for airlines and travelers, alongside planned upgrades to domestic Terminals 3 and 4, and safeguarding for a future Terminal 5. 

Airfield development 
Delivery of the third runway is underway, supported by the Eastern Extension Project. New taxiways and aprons will improve efficiency and aircraft parking capacity. 

Economic contribution 
Future connections are forecast to add $5.9 billion to Victoria’s economy each year and support more than 50,000 jobs. 

Accessibility 
Future development will embed accessibility and universal design, making the airport easier to navigate and more inclusive for everyone. 

Sustainability focus 
The plan commits to using more renewable energy, improving environmental performance, and climate-resilience. 

Flight paths and aircraft noise 
The plan outlines how flight paths, runway use and aircraft noise will be managed as Melbourne Airport moves to a future three-runway system and eventually a four-runway system. 

Land use planning 
The plan guides coordinated and responsible development on airport land, while considering surrounding communities and future transport connections. It supports freight, logistics, e-commerce, and employment-related development on airport land. 

Airport safeguarding 
The plan protects land for a future fourth runway and Terminal 5, while safeguarding safe, efficient and curfew-free airport operations. 

Community 
Future engagement will prioritise transparent communication and inclusive partnerships, delivering lasting social, educational and economic benefits.

Noise Sharing Plan

As part of Melbourne Airport’s third runway works, a draft Noise Sharing Plan has also been developed by independent consultants, Trax and GHD, with input from local communities, businesses and aviation stakeholders.

The draft Noise Sharing Plan is on public exhibition at the same time as Master Plan 2027. It has informed noise modelling within the 2027 Master Plan and will be fully implemented once federal government approval is received, and construction works for the third runway and Eastern Extension Project are complete.

Have your say 

The public exhibition period runs for 65 business days from Monday 10 August 2026 and closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday 11 November 2026.

Click here to make a submission