Eastern Runway Upgrade

Runways, like roads, bridges and other types of critical infrastructure, require ongoing maintenance alongside major works and upgrades to remain safe and reliable. 

From April 2027, Brisbane Airport's eastern runway will be temporarily closed for up to five months to undertake a major program of essential maintenance and renewal works. This includes replacing the runway's asphalt surface along its full length, upgrading the runway lighting system and completing other critical airfield works. 

Runway overlays are required every 10 to 15 years to restore the runway surface, protect the underlying pavement and ensure aviation safety standards. Without these works, the condition of the runway would progressively deteriorate over time, impacting the safety and operation of Australia's third busiest airport.

Originally installed in the 1980s, the runway lighting system has reached the end of its operational life and must be replaced. The new energy-efficient LED lighting system will provide improved reliability and support future operational requirements.

When planning these essential works we carefully considered the impact to the community and have selected the option which we believe minimises the impacts to residents as much as possible. 

If the project was completed during night time closures only, the works would take more than 18 months to complete. While the five month closure means a more concentrated period of change, it significantly reduces the overall duration of disruption, particularly during overnight hours. 

The full closure also prioritises worker and aviation safety and allows multiple essential works to be completed at the same time, including runway resurfacing, lighting upgrades and associated airfield works, reducing the overall duration of disruption.

We carefully considered community impacts when planning the timing of these works. The project has been scheduled during Brisbane's winter months, when southerly winds are more common, helping reduce the number of aircraft operations that may be more noticeable to some communities during the temporary closure. 

We also selected a single five month full closure rather than spreading the works over a much longer period through recurring overnight closures. While this results in a more concentrated period of change, it significantly reduces the overall duration of disruption, particularly during overnight hours.

Eighteen months ago, we removed and re-poured 18 concrete slabs at either end of the eastern runway. This upcoming upgrade is to resurface the full length of the runway and upgrade the lighting system. Runways, like roads, bridges and other types of critical infrastructure, require ongoing maintenance alongside major works and upgrades to remain safe and reliable. 

Runway maintenance timeline: 

• Ongoing: Both runways undergo routine maintenance requiring two closures each a month.
• 2013: Partial overlay of touchdown ends at either end of the eastern runway.
• 2016: Partial overlay of the middle of the eastern runway. 
• July 2020: Western runway becomes operational.
• June – September 2024: Major rectification works saw 18 aging concrete slabs replaced at the end of the eastern runway.
• August – September 2026: Pavement repair and patching across both runways, taxiways and upgrades to airfield lighting plus regrading sections of the western runway, requiring weekend closures.
• April – September 2027: Eastern runway upgrade including asphalt overlay and lighting upgrade
• After 2032: Estimated timing for future western runway overlay works.

During the closure, all aircraft arrivals and departures will operate from the western runway using existing flight paths. Flight paths will not change, however operations will be consolidated onto a single runway and the runway operating mode will remain wind dependent. 

To support single runway operations, the number of flights will be reduced during peak periods. Airlines may choose to use larger aircraft on busy domestic routes to maintain passenger capacity where possible. International services are not expected to be significantly affected, while aeromedical flights will continue to receive priority access. Passengers travelling on domestic services during the closure may receive updated flight times from their airline.

We know changes to travel plans can be frustrating, especially when you are heading away, travelling for work or making an important connection. During the runway works, a little extra planning will help make your journey smoother: 

• Book early where you can, particularly if you are travelling for a special event, appointment or connecting service. This gives you more time to adjust your plans if your airline needs to update your flight time. 
• Check your flight status directly with your airline before coming to the airport, especially for domestic flights. Airlines will have the most up-to-date information if any schedule changes are needed. 
• If you have an onward connection, allow more time between flights or other transport connections where possible. Building in a buffer can help reduce stress if there are longer wait times during single runway operations at Brisbane Airport. 
• Allow a little extra time on the day and keep an eye on airport and airline updates.

Communities in western runway aligned suburbs will experience increased aircraft movements and noise during the works, especially during northerly wind conditions (see below for more detailed information).

For the majority of the time during winter, the wind direction is generally from the south with arrivals over the bay, and departures over the city. Under single western runway operations in southerly winds, communities aligned with the western runway will experience a similar number of aircraft movements as they do under regular parallel operations. Eastern runway aligned communities will experience a greater spread of departures during these conditions.

Southerly wind impacts 

Southerly Wind Operations Map compares normal and temporary runway operations on example southerly wind days to help communities understand what to expect during the Eastern Runway Upgrade a majority of the time. 

Southerly Wind Operations Graph shows the expected change in departure flights for western runway aligned suburbs during the works.

Northerly wind impacts

In northerly winds, communities aligned to the western runway under parallel runway operations would normally experience 17 - 18 arrivals during the peak hours of 4pm - 7 pm. During the upcoming works under single western runway operations, this will increase to 24 – 26 arrivals per hour during the peak. Based on historical weather data these conditions are expected 23% of the time during the works period. 

Northerly Wind Operations Map compares normal and temporary runway operations on example northerly wind days to help communities understand what to expect during the Eastern Runway Upgrade. Northerly wind conditions typically occur around 23% of the time during winter.

Northerly Wind Operations Graph shows the expected change in arrival flights for western runway aligned suburbs during the works.

In October 2026, we commenced our community notification program more than six months prior to the works starting, including local member briefings, website information, social media advertising and a media announcement. 

A mass awareness campaign will launch in late January 2027, more than two months prior to the project start date, and will include advertising in local newspapers, television, digital websites, and broadcast catch-up services (BVOD), as well as letter box drops, billboards, social media and direct mail.