·    Five new wide-bodied gates and 4,500m2 of terminal and retail space
·    Extension will accommodate larger, wide-bodied aircraft and provide 28 per cent more capacity

Sydney Airport has opened a new 4,500m2 extension of the T2 terminal, just in time for Christmas.

“T2 is Australia’s busiest airport terminal, serving eight domestic and regional carriers, and we’re delighted to be opening this brand new extension in time for Christmas,” Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said.

“These five new gates will provide an additional 28 per cent capacity and allow more carriers to use wide-bodied aircraft like the Airbus A330 for domestic services.

“Increasingly, airlines are using wide-bodied aircraft for domestic services and we’re building the infrastructure to support that.

“Sydney Airport has invested more than $2 billion since 2002 on improvements for passengers and airlines. The T2 extension is a great example of how we’re supporting our airlines with the right infrastructure to meet their evolving needs.

“As part of the T2 upgrade, we have also widened the passenger concourse along Pier A of T2.  This has allowed us additional space to improve passenger circulation and upgrade our retail offering, with new Sunglass Hut, Witchery, Tech2Go and Edge stores opening this week.

“Work will continue on the ground floor, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2013 and a refurbishment of the food court will commence over the next 12 months.

“T2 has evolved from a single airline facility to a common-use terminal accommodating eight airlines today and this extension gives us the flexibility to continue meeting airline and passenger needs.

“Thank you to our passengers for their patience during construction over the past 12 months.”