Perth’s growing aviation sector

The opening of the new runway, and the continued growth in air services, will see the number of aircraft overflying any area change over time. For most people, when the new runway opens their exposure to aircraft noise will reduce because the number of aircraft movements will be spread across two parallel runways.  For others, there will be little or no change.  Some people will experience an increase in aircraft noise and some will be exposed to noise for the first time. Over time, aircraft noise events will increase as the number of aircraft movements continues to grow.

The new runway

Perth Airport is constructing a new 3,000 metre runway, located parallel to the existing main runway, that is planned to be operational in 2028.

Perth’s new runway will require the design of new flight paths and changed airspace architecture. Designing flight paths for new infrastructure is a complex process that requires extensive consultation—over many years—between Airservices, Perth Airport, aircraft operators, government, aviation regulators and the local community.

In 2018, Perth Airport prepared a Major Development Plan for the new runway which presented indicative flight corridors. These flight corridors were developed by specialist airspace consultants in consultation with Airservices to guide the assessment of impacts and the final airspace and flight path design. The final flight path design is expected to be consistent with the indicative flight corridors. A copy of the approved Major Development Plan for the New Runway Project is available here https://www.perthairport.com.au/Home/corporate/planning-and-projects/major-development-plans

The map below shows the indicative flight corridors for parallel runway (existing main runway and the new runway) operations. This information will be updated once the final airspace design is determined.

Why does Perth need a new runway?

As Australia’s western hub, meeting the growing demand for air travel is vital to supporting the State’s residents and economy. 

The need for an additional runway at Perth Airport was first recommended over 45 years ago by a joint Commonwealth and State Government Working Group investigating Perth’s future planning requirements.

Today, Perth Airport’s existing runways reach capacity during peak periods, resulting in delays to flights and disruption to travellers. The number of annual aircraft movements is forecast to increase from 160,851 movements in FY25 to 222,800 movements in FY46, requiring additional runway capacity to allow better management of the air traffic growth that’s already occurring as well as future growth.

The new runway will enable more efficient and effective aircraft operations, as well as provide more capacity for airlines to schedule flights that meet customer needs.

How will aircraft operate from the new runway?

Perth Airport is located in some of the most complex airspace in Australia. It is close to the Darling Scarp to its east, the RAAF Base Pearce to the north, and Jandakot Airport to the south. Each aerodrome has its own airspace requirements which must be carefully coordinated.

Extensive consultation resulted in a draft Airspace Management Plan that supports safe and efficient operations of a new runway. It is not the final design, as this will occur closer to the opening of the new runway, however it is a chance for the community to better understand how a parallel runway system may operate. The draft Airspace Management Plan considered:

  • safe aircraft operations
  • demand and volume of aircraft traffic
  • weather patterns
  • departure and arrival procedures
  • runway modes of operation
  • aircraft sequencing
  • noise abatement procedures
  • local airspace conditions, and
  • current flight path designs.

The draft Airspace Management Plan is presented in the New Runway Project Major Development Plan – Volume C.

How will the new runway change aircraft noise?

The opening of the new runway, and the continued growth in air services, will see the number of aircraft overflying any area change over time.

This interactive tool displays the N65 and N60 contours.  The slider bar changes the noise contour based on the number of events per average day over 65dB or per average night over 60dB.  It also allows you to compare with the future scenario, to see the noise exposure changes in your area.

Height of flights over my area

The altitude of aircraft can vary due to a number of factors. It could depend on whether it is arriving, departing or in flight, the weight and performance characteristics of the aircraft, and the flight procedure being used (which are based on the different types of ground-based or satellite-based navigation aids). Arrivals typically follow a steady descent to the runway, while departures typically follow a steeper path as they climb away from the runway.

A core function of Air Traffic Control is safety, and one of the primary ways in which this is achieved is by maintaining lateral (horizontal) or vertical separation between aircraft. At higher altitudes, aircraft can be vertically separated by around 1,000ft (304m).

Cross runway

Consistent with the previous two approved master plans, Perth Airport’s Preliminary Master Plan 2026 maintains that the cross runway 06/24 remains under review as part of broader considerations for future operational needs.