Terminal capacity is an important growth enabler for airports. With passenger numbers in Australian capital city airports forecast to more than double by 2050[1], Australian airports are facing major capacity constraints. With limited opportunities to expand terminal footprints due to spatial limitations, Australian airports are looking to advanced infrastructure and technology solutions to increase the efficiency of their operations and meet rising passenger projections.
As a large island nation with highly dispersed major population centres, aviation plays a key role in Australia’s transport network. This capacity challenge however, is not necessarily unique to Australia, as airports worldwide grapple with similar growth constraints. This challenge is also not unique to Australian capital city airports, as airports nearby to our capitals i.e., Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Avalon, continue to experience growth in their catchment areas as their bigger neighbours become constrained.
What are Swing Gates?
One solution to rising capacity constraints lies in the implementation of swing gates; flexible boarding gates that can “swing” between domestic and international modes based on real-time demand and operational needs. Typically referring to a space rather than a physical gate or barrier, these areas are equipped with security and immigration infrastructure that allows them to alternate between processing domestic passengers (who do not need to go through customs and immigration) and international passengers (who do). By using the same gate for both types of modes, airports can optimise gate utilisation - reducing the need for dedicated international and domestic gates and thus making more efficient use of terminal space.
The need for robust wayfinding
Effective wayfinding is pivotal to the successful operation of swing gate environments. A well-planned wayfinding system ensures that all passengers can navigate through the airport quickly and easily, with minimal stress. This is particularly important in swing gate environments where the complexity of passenger journeys can increase due to the shared operations.
The complexity of swing gate operations - being dual use by nature, means that wayfinding needs to be dynamic. Not only does wayfinding need to ensure passengers know exactly where to go and what process to follow, it also needs to flex to cater to the various operational modes. Furthermore, it is vital that wayfinding is used to help prevent passengers from entering restricted areas or crossing between areas they shouldn’t, maintaining the integrity of customs and security protocols.
[1] Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) 2024, Australian aviation forecasts – 2024 to 2050, BITRE, Canberra.
A Case Study in Swing Gates at Gold Coast Airport
Gold Coast Airport's Southern Terminal Expansion project exemplifies how swing gates have enabled increased capacity within a confined terminal environment. By integrating swing gate functionality into existing terminal gates, and incorporating dual-use swing gates into the design of the new terminal extension, the airport can seamlessly switch entire areas of the building between handling inbound and outbound passengers for both domestic and international flights.
In order to support these swing gate operations, Maynard developed a digital and 'switchable' signage system for the Southern Terminal Expansion and Airside Processing Zone. Through modelling planned operational modes and identifying potential pain points from the passengers perspective/s, we developed a responsive wayfinding system that can adapt to a range of operational scenarios while responding to passengers information needs and requirements. Integrating digital signage with door control systems allows real-time space allocations and route updates, providing the ability to display different messaging across varying operational modes.
This dynamic signage approach, coupled with a customer-centric mindset, enables swing gates to reach their full capability by increasing passenger throughput, mitigating congestion, and unlocking greater capacity within the existing terminal footprint.
Unlocking hidden capacity
With passenger numbers continuing to grow, swing gates provide a powerful solution to overcoming terminal (and site-wide) capacity constraints, whilst maximising existing infrastructure. Combined with robust and dynamic wayfinding solutions, swing gates can help airports to optimise their processes, streamline operations, and effectively address capacity issues while prioritising a positive passenger experience.
Written by Geoff Ashmore and Kate Pleban
Sources:
- Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) 2024, Australian aviation forecasts – 2024 to 2050, BITRE, Canberra. https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/bitre-rr157-summary.pdf
- Aviation White Paper - Scenario Analysis of the Future of Australian Aviation: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/aviation-white-paper-scenario-analysis-september-2023.pdf
- Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE), 2008, Air passenger movements through capital city airports to 2025–26, Working Paper 72, Canberra ACT: https://bitre.gov.au/publications/2008/wp_072.