MOMENTS IN TIME Passengers relax in the modern departure July 1, 1970 Airport 1970 gate lounge. Visitors also fl ock to the airport to offi cially opens with the fi rst international enjoy the purple, gold and red furnishings and decor. departure, QF530 to San Francisco. 1970 When the then 1971 Prime Minister 1972 John Gorton (1968- 1973 1971) opened the 1974 airport in 1970 1975 he said: “I will 1976 declare Melbourne 1977 Airport open, 1978 but I hope that 1979 lovely liquid name, Airports are unique places where Tullamarine, will 1980 not disappear from 1981 many things are possible; places our vocabulary”. 1982 of hope, adventure and intrigue. 1983 1984 o help junior school holidays or ahead 1971 Trans Australia Airlines air hostesses gather 1985 travellers celebrate of your next trip, you will on the observation deck when domestic operations ’s fi nd fun puzzles, games, 1986 start a year after the international airport opens. T50th year, you’re challenges and quizzes to 1987 invited to experience download, with a learning 1988 the airport virtually at module based around the June 20, 1972 The Concorde prototype, which melbourneairport.com.au/ airport’s 50th milestone. 1989 promised to cut travel times, arrives in Melbourne junior-traveller. This is a website with from London on its fi rst international proving fl ight. Here you will fi nd content designed to suit 1990 exclusive behind-the- junior travellers aged 1991 scenes videos, including a 7 years and above. guided tour of a Qantas Melbourne Airport will 1992 March 2001 The luxury 276-room Hilton Hotel A380. You can also meet award a prize pack to the (now Parkroyal) opens. In September 2019, 1993 some of the people who Junior Traveller of the 1994 work began on a new 464-room Accor hotel. work at the airport and month, including a limited 1995 learn about their jobs, such edition Melbourne Airport as an air traffi c controller, a 50th Year photo book, pin, 1996 pilot and the airport’s CEO. lanyard, toy and keep cup, 1997 Finally, to keep junior so jump online and prepare March 1977 ABBA touch down at Melbourne 1998 travellers amused over the for take-off today! Airport on a personalised Ansett jet featuring 1999 melbourneairport.com.au/junior-traveller the ABBA logo. Thousands of fans fl ock to the When Melbourne observation deck to get a glimpse of the stars. 1996 The T2 international terminal satellite 2000 Airport opened is expanded at a cost of $65 million to 2001 in 1970, there support growing passenger numbers. 2002 were six airlines 2003 operating. Today 2004 the airport is 2005 home to more 2006 December 9, 2015 Terminal 4 opens and is than 40 airlines. 2007 the fi rst airport terminal in the Asia Pacifi c region to open with a full self-service check-in operation. 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 November 2005 The Airbus A380 lands at Melbourne Airport on its fi rst long-haul test fl ight outside Europe for 2016 Qantas, coinciding with the airline’s 85th anniversary. 2017 2018 2019

May 2020 aircraft parked 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic after planes are grounded due to travel restrictions.

Melbourne Airport has seen December 2017 Melbourne Airport’s luxury laneway is unveiled as part of the renovated 769 million passengers pass through T2 international terminal retail and dining precinct. its gates in the past 50 years. 2020 and beyond Taking off for a new era of air travel post COVID-19.

Pictures: JAMES LAURITZ PHOTOGRAPHY, FSTOP.AVIATION, AMMON RAMRITU, SIMON CASSON, MELBOURNE AIRPORT, TAA MUSEUM