The hotel would be built between the airport and Brindabella Business Park, five-minutes walk from the new terminal.

The airport wants to construct it to help attract international flights to Australia’s capital and hopes to attract a private operator to run it.

Facilities would include a four to four-and-a-half star rating, and include a conference centre, restaurant, small gym and bar facilities.

Canberra Airport, managing director, Stephen Byron, says it is part of its major development plan and expects it will open in time for Floriade 2015.

“This will bring to reality a proposal that has been part of our master plan for the airport since day one.

“The design of the hotel will be modern and in keeping with the exceptional architectural quality of the terminal and adjoining Brindabella Business Park.

“It will be located on a corner site between Pialligo Avenue and the southern on-grade car park adjacent to the axial roadway – five minutes’ walk away from the gate lounges,” Byron says.

Byron says the hotel will encourage international flights to and from Canberra.

The Australian Airport of the Year currently handles 3mppa domestic passengers and one day hopes to serve 10mppa.

Source: Airport World, 24 October 2013