Improving efficiency by increasing aircraft routing options

Gold Coast Airport is expanding to meet current and future passenger numbers, and an associated increase in flights. Taxiway Charlie has been transformed into a full parallel taxiway, serving the runway that keeps aircraft traffic flowing.

Commercial airlines only make money while their aircraft are flying. The sooner they’ve left the stand and are cleared for take-off, the more cost effective they become.

The main runway 14/32 at Gold Coast Airport was originally serviced by two partially parallel taxiways, Taxiway Charlie North and Taxiway Charlie South, which had the potential to cause bottlenecks for aircraft heading to and from the runway during peak periods.

Beca was set the challenge of designing Taxiway Charlie Link, which now connects both north and south sections at the intersections of Taxiways Alpha and Delta to create a complete parallel taxiway.

Our scope soon extended to the design of a strengthening overlay of the adjacent Taxiways Alpha, Delta and Charlie South. This tied in seamlessly with the geometry changes at the intersections interfacing with the new Charlie Link pavement.

Working airside and within the constraints of an operational airport was a challenge. We successfully completed the project just in time for this taxiway to be an option for aircraft carrying visitors, officials and athletes for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Improved operational efficiency and increased aircraft taxi routing options have been delivered by this project.