Aviation State Engagement Forum
On this page
Open consultation
Submit feedback to
Trax
Asia Pacific
Trax Asia Pacific
Seek industry feedback on the refined Phase 2 controlled airspace concept supporting parallel runway operations at Melbourne Airport.
The issue
The existing controlled airspace steps north and south of Melbourne Airport were designed for a single stream of arrivals to Runway 16 and Runway 34.
The third runway allows independent parallel operations. That creates a second, simultaneous arrival stream, and the current steps are not suitable to contain the low side approaches required by ICAO regulations for the separation of independent parallel runway approaches.
What we heard in Phase 1
North
- Lowering controlled airspace from 3,500 ft to 2,500 ft around Romsey (about 20 NM north) would restrict general aviation (GA) operations and reduce safety margins.
- In poor weather it would leave little room to remain clear of low cloud near the rising terrain around Mount Macedon.
- It would affect several smaller aerodromes, because the base of controlled airspace would sit at circuit height.
South
- The Phase 1 proposal would conflict with established low-level flying over Port Phillip Bay.
- It would compress the height available to recreational and training flights using the Bay.
- The Moorabbin NDB-A approach is still used by flight training organisations and would be impacted by the lowered airspace in Port Phillip Bay.
Purpose
To advise aviation stakeholders across the Melbourne Basin of the refined (Phase 2) controlled airspace concept to support independent parallel runway operations at Melbourne Airport's third runway (Runway 16R/34L), and to seek feedback on the proposed changes.
This consultation forms part of the Noise Sharing and Airspace Concept Plan (NSP), developed in response to the Ministerial Conditions of Approval for the Melbourne Airport Third Runway (M3R) Major Development Plan (MDP).
Background
Melbourne Airport has appointed Trax Asia Pacific (Trax), a specialist airspace and air traffic management consultancy, to lead development of the NSP and the associated Airspace Concept Plan.
Phase 1 industry engagement ran from October to December 2025. It presented an initial concept for revised controlled airspace north and south of Melbourne Airport. Operators, flight training organisations and aerodrome users gave detailed feedback through briefing sessions and written submissions.
The Phase 2 concept responds directly to that feedback. It raises the proposed base of controlled airspace to the north and south compared with the Phase 1 concept.
Proposal
What has changed in Phase 2
Northern airspace
- The instrument landing system (ILS) joining altitude is raised to 4,000 ft for RWY 16L (previously 3,500 ft) and 5,000 ft for RWY 16R (previously 4,500 ft).
- The Phase 1 proposal to lower controlled airspace to 2,500 ft around Romsey has been removed. No controlled airspace within 20 NM of Melbourne Airport is lowered.
- Beyond 20 NM, the base of controlled airspace steps down from 4,500 ft to 3,500 ft in an area under RWY16 arrival centreline.
Southern airspace
- The ILS joining altitude for mixed mode arrivals to RWY 34L and RWY 34R is raised by 1,000 ft.
- The lower limit of controlled airspace is raised compared with the Phase 1 concept, to contain the revised arrival altitudes while reducing impacts on VFR operations.
- Existing published VFR routes around Port Phillip Bay on the Melbourne VTC are retained without modification.
- Moorabbin NDB-A: proposal for re-alignment within a CTA-C LL4500 area.
Scope of this consultation
- Changes in Phase 2 are limited to controlled airspace steps with a lower limit of 4,500 ft AMSL and below. These contain all parallel runway operations at Melbourne Airport.
- The lowest change proposed is a reduction of the lower limit from 4,500 ft to 3,500 ft AMSL.
- No controlled airspace below 3,500 ft AMSL is affected.
- A full Melbourne Terminal Control Area (TMA) ATC simulation is scheduled for early 2027, which may affect higher controlled airspace levels. It will be the subject of separate future engagement.
What we are asking
We are seeking feedback on how the Phase 2 concept affects your operations. This includes:
- routes, altitudes and aerodromes you use beneath or near the proposed steps;
- any residual impact on terrain or weather margins; and
- any operational concerns not raised during Phase 1.
Timeline
- Phase 2 industry engagement runs October to November 2026.
- Feedback will inform the next phase of the Noise Sharing and Airspace Concept Plan.
- Airservices Australia will then lead a detailed design phase, followed by a formal Airspace Change Proposal to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
- Implementation of the new runway and associated airspace changes is currently scheduled for 2031.
Industry engagement
Trax Asia Pacific will host consultation sessions directly with operators throughout October and November 2026.
Vist the Melbourne Airport Major Projects Hub for more information on the next Industry Engagement session near you: https://www.melbourneairportprojectshub.com.au/noise-sharing-plan?tab=1…;
A full Industry Briefing Paper is also available on the Melbourne Airport Major Projects Hub. It covers information relevant to all operators in the Melbourne Basin:
The industry comment period closes on Friday 11th December 2026. Send all feedback and information about your operation to info@traxasiapacific.com.au and include your contact details in case we need further information.
Related links
https://www.melbourneairportprojectshub.com.au/noise-sharing-plan?tab=1…