Sep 16, 2025
Airports are no longer just gateways for travel. They are becoming destination-style precincts that bring together retail, logistics, leisure, education and hospitality. At the heart of this shift is airport infrastructure, providing the foundations for long-term success. Pomeroy Pacific’s work with APAM shows how these enabling investments unlock the potential of diversified airport precincts.
Australia’s airports are among the most land-rich assets in the country. Many are now stepping into the role of developer to capture the value of diversified revenue streams. As highlighted in The Urban Developer, this is best described as an evolution rather than a revolution.
The pandemic was a lightning bolt for the industry, and with borders closed, airports saw revenues collapse by up to 90% almost overnight.
Those that fared best were the ones with diversified property portfolios, generating income not only from passengers but also from logistics, hotels, parking, retail and other activities. This experience underscored the need to rethink land use more strategically, shifting diversification beyond individual assets and towards the creation of fully integrated precincts.
The opportunity now lies in transforming surplus land into strategic precincts that generate long-term income. But land alone is not enough. Successful airport precincts require:
Examples across Australia highlight different approaches. Sydney has focused heavily on retail, generating close to $500 million annually. Brisbane has built a strong mix of logistics, retail and hospitality. Canberra has evolved into an office park. Melbourne has invested in leisure, including Australia’s first operational surf park. Each approach is unique, but all reinforce the same lesson: diversification creates resilience.
In the past, much of the focus was on developing the land surrounding airports into commercial and industrial hubs; now airports themselves are becoming destinations, evolving into precincts where people shop, meet, stay, and work.
Examples worldwide highlight this shift. Singapore’s Changi Airport has positioned itself as a retail and lifestyle destination that attracts both travellers and locals, while Auckland Airport is leaning into entertainment.
In Australia, Sydney Airport has become one of the strongest performers in retail, with outlets such as Starbucks and McDonald’s ranking among the best in the country.
Regional airports are also adopting this approach. Gold Coast Airport’s masterplan includes wellness facilities, office space and a university campus, while Sunshine Coast Airport is pursuing a mixed-use hub with commercial, retail and short-term accommodation.
What makes these precincts work is diversity. By combining retail, dining, conferencing and leisure with core aviation activity, airports move beyond being places of transit and establish themselves as destinations in their own right.
Behind every retail hub or leisure facility at an airport is something less visible but more decisive: airport infrastructure. Landside access, public transport links, utilities and essential services create the framework that lets new developments thrive and enable the precinct to function as one integrated place.
At Pomeroy Pacific, we are proud to be working with APAM (Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne) on a series of infrastructure upgrades at Melbourne Airport. While these works may not attract the same attention as a new retail or leisure precinct, they are the essential foundations that make such developments possible.
Our work at Melbourne Airport reflects a core belief: the most impactful projects are often behind the scenes. By focusing on enabling works today, we help ensure airports have the flexibility and resilience to deliver destination-style precincts tomorrow.
As Mercurius and Cox Architecture note in their recent white paper, successful airport precinct planning requires a clear process:
1. Identify what development is possible
2. Select the right delivery model, whether direct or through a joint venture
3. Enable projects with infrastructure and connectivity
4. Identify catalytic developments that spark further activity
When applied consistently, this approach unlocks scalable outcomes and positions airports as high-performing commercial hubs. It ensures every development contributes to a coherent long-term vision.
Airports are evolving into destinations that balance aviation operations with a diverse mix of assets. From logistics and leisure to education, wellness, hotels, and retail, the mix will differ at each airport. The principle remains the same: resilience comes from diversification, placemaking, and long-term planning.
At Pomeroy Pacific, we see airports as city-makers in their own right. Our role is to help deliver the enabling works and strategic developments that make these precincts possible. The work we are doing with APAM is one example of how thoughtful infrastructure planning today creates the conditions for vibrant, resilient, and destination-style airports tomorrow.
The lesson extends beyond airports. Successful precincts in any sector depend on the right infrastructure to support growth. At Pomeroy Pacific, we specialise in delivering these foundations so that visionary projects can achieve their full potential. Get in touch to learn more.