[lloyd fox]

Expansion of the Virgin Australia lounge at Brisbane Airport is just one of a number of significant infrastructure enhancements planned under a new agreement between the airline and and Brisbane Airport Corporation.

The deal also includes a series of major upgrades to Virgin's leased area at the domestic terminal over the next three years, new gate lounges to support the airline's growing ATR Turboprop operations and additional aerobridge gates for wide-bodied Airbus A330 aircraft.

BAC chief executive and managing director Julieanne Alroe described the signing as a "significant milestone" for the airport.

"The agreement proves the commitment of both BAC and Virgin Australia to the growth of aviation services in Brisbane, Queensland and Australia," she said.

In addition, the agreement includes ongoing runway access for the next 10 years and support for the development of the new parallel runway.

Alroe underlined BAC's commitment to building the runway with the project so far "on track and on schedule".

"Our investment so far, along with today's announcement, demonstrates this commitment and is an important step forward," Alroe said.

Virgin's chief financial officer Sankar Narayan described the airport as "key" to its growth aspirations, with 37% of its domestic flights departing or arriving there each day.

"We have worked closely with BAC to achieve an outcome that is in the best interests of our customers, our shareholders and the state of Queensland," he said.

The deal also includes the sale and lease-back of the Virgin Australia hangar which is expected to be finalised by June 30.

Aource TRAVEL WEEKLY.