The departure ramp that had delivered passengers to the front doors of terminals 1, 2 and 3 for more than 50 years closed on Monday night. It has been replaced by a combined drop-off and pick-up area in the airport's multi-level car park, connected to the terminals by a walkway bridge. The facility, bridge and supporting road network cost $500 million.
Melbourne Airport said the new arrangement is designed to reduce traffic congestion outside the departure areas and provides almost triple the number of bays compared with the old forecourt.
Passengers who spoke to the ABC on the first morning were broadly approving. One woman, dropped off for a flight home to New Zealand, said her son "managed to find his way really well". Another said it was "easy, pretty convenient", adding that the old arrangement was "a bit hectic, a bit busy". A third described the new zone as "pretty great, lots of room". One man said traffic flowed more easily and he did not mind the longer walk. "Get our steps in," his travelling companion added. A driver said he felt safer, and another said dropping off passengers was easier.
There have been concerns about the longer walk to the terminal, particularly for elderly travellers and people with mobility issues.
Drivers now need to leave the Tullamarine Freeway earlier, taking the exit to Naarm Way. A crash on the freeway this morning caused delays getting to the airport, though it was not known whether it was related to the new arrangements.
Melbourne Airport said the change would allow work to begin on a $4.5 billion expansion of the international terminal.