The Old Domestic Express terminal

[Maikha Ly]

Hi all

While coming back from Canberra yesterday aboard Virgin Blue (See Trip report elsewhere), we taxiied past the old Domestic Express terminal on Ninth Street, which immediately evoked so many memories I had when I was younger seeing off relatives from there flying out to Adelaide in 2000. Back then, Virgin Blue was a hip new outfit operating out of the terminal, and I remember the Supervisor that afternoon having a chat with me, telling me the best time to be there was 3pm when all FIVE VB aircraft where there (Remember, this was 2000!).


Anyhow, I noticed the terminal yesterday afternoon surprisingly still there located behind the DHL building (I thought the buildings were temporary demountables or something), and spurred a heap of curious queries:

*What are the buildings used for nowerdays, as well as the parking space infront of it? GA Parking area?
*When did Virgin Blue move out of that terminal and into the T2 Terminal?
*Does anyone have any photos of the terminal in its old glory? Would make a perfect setting for a 1:200 scale miniature airport with diecast DJ Aircraft


Thanks for any information provided!

[Nigel C]

It's office space now, for DHL I think (happy to be corrected). Parking out front is for DHL, overflow for REX, and stand-off parking for Virgin Blue, REX and anyone else who needs it if the apron coordinator (TOC) sees fit. Also used for oversized corporate stuff (eg ACDC A318), refuelling corporate stuff like BBJ's etc.

No idea on the moving date. The Ansett terminal's (T2) sale by Ansett administrators was finally settled on the 27th December 2002, so I would assume it would have been some time around then.

The terminal had no glory. It was built in 56 days, leaked like a sieve when it rained, and smelt like too many sweaty bodies cramped in a small space (the wet carpet wouldn't have helped). It did however serve a purpose pretty well for what it was designed for, given it was also catering for Impulse Airlines B717's.

[Robert S]

Originally Posted by Nigel C

The terminal had no glory. It was built in 56 days, leaked like a sieve when it rained, and smelt like too many sweaty bodies cramped in a small space (the wet carpet wouldn't have helped).

Toilets also stank like any demountable toilets do. It served its purpose and it was kind of fun walking out to the planes with the placards on the staircases identifying where each was going as a kind of historic throwback... but it's good to have those days behind us.

[Matt_L]

back when Virgin had the 737-400's haha.

Can vividly remember the Impulse 717s pulling in and seeing this guy http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=99659&nseq=14

[Adam P.]

Apparently it's a long walk from the terminal to the '90s' bays. I just tell the crew to harden up...

Offices now used by DHL, a mate of mine worked there for a time a few years back.

[Maikha Ly]

Thanks all for the responses, clears up many curiousities I had!

Matt, I too vividly remember the Impulse 717s. I would have been at the airport seeing off some relos off to Brisbane when Gerry McGowan was there doing a press conference after launching $30 airfare to Brisbane or somewhere. My poor mother, being nagged on the way home to one day go to Brisbane and back on Impulse!

[Jon B]

It is office space - meeting rooms and training rooms and al lunch break area for DHL Express. I spent almost 2 weeks there for some training in mid 2008. At least i got to watch the Rex movements during the training

[Gareth U]

I became a flight attendant in 2000, with Impulse Airlines. I fondly remember that terminal - not the we spent much time in it. We signed on and off at the Impulse 'Regional' terminal on 11th(?) street 2 mins walk away. That terminal had the nasty Ansett blue stripe carpet.

I remember us sometimes having three flights to Melbourne boarding at the one time and Virgin customers coming to steal our complimentary newspapers!