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Sydney Airport also known as Kingsford Smith Airport is located in the suburb of
Mascot in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is the major airport serving Sydney,
and is a major hub for Qantas. Sydney Airport is one of the oldest continually operated
airports in the world, and the busiest airport in Australia, handling 33.4 million
passengers and about 300,000 aircraft movements. It is the 28th busiest airport
in the world. Situated next to Botany Bay, the airport has three runways, colloquially
known as the "East-West", "North-South" and "Third" runways. It has the smallest
land area of any capital city airport in Australia.
Sydney Airport has three passenger terminals. The International Terminal is separated
from the other two by a runway; therefore connecting passengers need to allow for
longer transfer times. The airport provides a shuttle service between the terminals.
Terminal 1 is known as the International Terminal, located in the airport's north
western sector. It has 29 gates served by aerobridges, as well as a number of remote
bays. It can accommodate the Airbus A380, which fly routes to Singapore. The terminal
building is split into three levels, one each for arrivals, departures and airline
offices. The terminal also has an observation deck located on the rooftop. The terminal
hosts six airline lounges: Two for Qantas, and one each for Air New Zealand, Singapore
Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Emirates.
Terminal 2, located in the airport's north-eastern section, was the former home
of Ansett Australia's domestic operations. It features 15 parking bays served by
aerobridges and a number of non-contact bays. Today it serves Virgin Blue, Jetstar,
Tiger Airways, Regional Express Airlines, Aero pelican Air Services and Qantaslink
services operated by Eastern Australia Airlines. There are lounges for Qantas, Virgin
Blue and Regional Express Airlines.
Terminal 3 is a domestic terminal, serving Qantas and Qantaslink flights to Canberra.
Originally, it was home for Airlines, later named Australian Airlines. Like Terminal
2 it is located in the north-eastern section. The current terminal building is largely
the result of extensions. There are 14 parking bays served by aerobridges, including
two served by dual aerobridges. Terminal 3 features a large Qantas Club lounge,
along with a dedicated Business Class and Chairman’s lounge.
Sydney Airport had a fourth passenger terminal, east of Terminal 2. This was formerly
known as Domestic Express and was used by Regional Express Airlines; and low-cost
carriers Virgin Blue and the now-defunct Impulse Airlines; during the time Terminal
2 was closed following the collapse of Ansett Australia. It is now used by DHL Express
and Tasman Cargo Airlines as an office building.
The dedicated Freight Terminal is located north of Terminal 1. It is used for international
freight operations, except for Tasman Cargo Airlines' trans-Tasman services.
The airport is accessible by via the Airport Link underground rail line. The International
railway station is located below the International terminal, while the Domestic
railway station is located under the car park between the domestic terminals namely
Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. While the stations and is part of the Cityrail suburban
network, they are privately owned and operated by the Airport Link consortium. The
trains that service the airport are regular suburban trains. Unlike special airport
trains at other airports, these do not have special provisions for customers with
luggage, do not operate express to the airport and may have all seats occupied by
commuters before the trains arrive at the airport.
Sydney Buses run from Burwood to Bondi Junction railway stations and stops at the
International and Domestic terminals. It connects the eastern suburbs, Inner West
and St George areas to the airport. Private shuttle buses also service the airport
from the Sutherland Shire, Blue Mountains and Central Coast. Sydney Airport, being
located within a dense urban area, has road connections in all directions. Southern
Cross Drive (M1), a motorway, is the fastest link with the city centre. The only
other motorway, the M5 South Western Motorway (including the M5 East Freeway) links
the airport with the south-western suburbs of Sydney.
A ring road runs around the airport consisting of Airport Drive, Qantas Drive, General
Holmes Drive, M5 East Freeway and Marsh Street. General Holmes Drive features a
tunnel under the main north-south runway and three taxiways as well as providing
access to an aircraft viewing area. Inside the airport a part-ring road Ross Smith
Avenue connects the Domestic Terminal with the control tower, the general aviation
area, car-rental company storage yards, long-term car park, heliport, various retail
operations and a hotel. A perimeter road runs inside the secured area for authorized
vehicles only. The International Terminal is located beside a wide pedestrian and
bicycle path. It links Mascot and Sydney City in the north-east with Tempe via a
foot bridge over Alexandra Canal and Botany Bay to the south-west. All terminals
offer bicycle racks and are also easily accessible by foot from nearby areas.
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