Sydney Airport: who is responsible for fixing this security door?

Now, file this under ‘petty’, but every time I come through Sydney Airport – my home airport, one of the security exit doors is always out of order.

That security exit marked ’33’ has been out of order for the whole duration of COVID-19 – over a year, which is almost forgivable. But it didn’t start there. I can’t prove this, but I think it has been out of operation since at least mid-2019, and even possibly 2018.

I didn’t notice this time, but those travelators disguised as the fuselage of a Qantas plane, always seem to be broken too.

Who’s responsible?

Qantas sold the lease for Terminal 3 back to Sydney Airports for $535 million in 2015 – 4 years before the 30 year lease was due to expire. A representative of Sydney Airport described the deal at the time as ‘strategically important for future airport flexibility’ according to Australian Aviation.

I don’t know whether it is a Qantas or Sydney Airport responsibility. On the basis of ownership – probably Sydney Airport, but frankly, I don’t care. I just think as Qantas returns to 80 to 90% of domestic capacity, it should be fixed.

Airport plans

In 2011, Sydney Airport announced plans to reorganise the terminals based on airline alliances T1 (currently international) for Virgin Australia, partner, and other international airlines. Qantas and OneWorld, airlines would share T2 & T3, combining international, regional, and domestic operations. This would involve upgrading Terminal 3 so that it could also deal with international flights, and accommodate A380’s.

That, as far as I know, is the current plan, but who knows what havoc COVID-19 has played with those upgrade proposals.

2PAXfly Takeout

The aviation industry has a difficult road ahead when it comes to sustainability. It’s going to require a relative revolution in technology, with ‘electric planes’ or hydrogen planes, or some form of jet engine that doesn’t require a carbon based fuel. And that is going to require the development of an alternative to jet engines probably.

It’s a big ask. It will take time to develop.

This move to home grown and manufactured SAF is a first step – maybe even a baby step in a very long road of innovation. In the long run, US$200 million won’t even touch the sides.

Anyway, whoever is responsible for those security gates, Qantas or Sydney Airport – when are they going to be fixed? I have a good mind to email Sydney Airport and Qantas about this . . .