Capital Airport Group

Capital Airport Group Pty Ltd (CAG) functions as the driving force behind the modern Canberra Airport precinct, a critical gateway to Australia's capital. The group purchased the airport from the Commonwealth Government in May 1998, formed by Canberra businessman Terry Snow and his son Stephen Byron, who brought a strong background in developing quality commercial properties in Canberra and Sydney. Since that acquisition, CAG has executed an ambitious transformation, converting what was once a small airport surrounded by sheep paddocks into a thriving, multi-faceted hub that is now among the country's most recognised for operational innovation and passenger satisfaction.

Headquartered at Level 4 of the Plaza Offices West, 21 Terminal Avenue, Canberra Airport ACT 2609, the group manages a highly diverse portfolio that extends far beyond typical airport operations. It encompasses aviation infrastructure, major commercial property interests, retail developments, business parks, and a curated travel experience that sees the business acting as the first welcome and the last farewell for visitors to the nation's capital. The group's reception can be contacted at +61 2 6275 2222, and comprehensive information is available at www.canberraairport.com.au. CAG's vision is simple but ambitious: to be the best small airport in the world, and its track record shows a company deeply integrated into the fabric of the Canberra community and its economy.

An Award-Winning Passenger Terminal

At the heart of Capital Airport Group's operations lies the stunning modern terminal, a facility representing a $420 million investment that opened in its all-new form on 13 March 2013. Spanning more than 55,000 square metres, this architectural landmark was designed to offer a world-class experience that prioritises passenger comfort, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. The terminal features 10 passenger aerobridges, 34 check-in counters, and 6 baggage carousels, ensuring smooth processing for over three million passengers annually.

The facility has attracted significant national recognition. Capital Airport Group proudly received the Airport Excellence Award for Operations at the 2024 National Airport Industry Awards, a testament to its commitment to streamlined, innovative processes. Furthermore, Canberra Airport has been rated Australia's highest for overall customer satisfaction in a recent national study, reinforcing the success of the group's focus on human-centred design. This has been complemented by programs like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative, which provides support and a visible signal for travellers who may need additional assistance, patience, or time during their airport journey.

Commercial Property and Business Precincts

A significant component of Capital Airport Group's portfolio is its curation of prime commercial real estate designed to attract government agencies, defence contractors, and private enterprises. This arm of the business goes well beyond leasing office space; it involves creating integrated communities that promote work-life balance, sustainability, and a vibrant corporate culture. The group is responsible for several distinct precincts, each with its own character and tenant mix, generating a dynamic economic ecosystem around the airport.

Brindabella Business Park stands as a first-class professional precinct adjacent to the terminal and is considered one of Australia's most environmentally sustainable business centres. Across its 18 world-class commercial buildings, tenants enjoy amenities designed to foster health and productivity: a childcare facility, a fully equipped gymnasium, a medical centre, numerous cafes and restaurants, and even sporting fields. Majura Park, located in the north-west sector of the airport, forms a true town centre that integrates sustainably-built offices with a powerful retail offering, including Majura Park Shopping Centre, home to one of Australia's largest Woolworths stores and Canberra's only Costco Wholesale warehouse. The Fairbairn precinct, rich with heritage and iconic red-brick architecture, caters to specialised tenants including a permanent RAAF base and high-tech businesses, all supported by unique amenities like an 18-hole golf course and a heritage rose garden.

Master-Planned Retail and Community Spaces

The group's influence on the Canberra region's retail landscape is profound and growing. Capital Airport Group is responsible not only for the commercial terminals but also for developing large-format retail destinations that serve the broader community. The Majura Park Shopping Centre is a prime example, anchored by major tenants and complemented by more than 30 specialty stores including Big W, ALDI, Chemist Warehouse, and a 256-seat food court. This makes the airport precinct a destination in itself, independent of travel plans.

Beyond Majura Park, the group has expanded its property development footprint into the heart of the city with Constitution Place, a $300 million mixed-use development in Canberra City that brings high-end commercial, hospitality, and residential accommodation to the central business district. Similarly, Capital Airport Group is steering the creation of Denman Prospect, one of Canberra's most remarkable new suburbs, which delivers extensive housing estates, schools, parks, and community facilities. This brick-and-mortar manifestation of the group’s long-term vision shows a commitment to shaping how Canberra lives, works, and shops.

Airline Partnerships and Route Development

Capital Airport Group plays a dynamic and aggressive role in attracting and maintaining airline services, facilitating both domestic and international connectivity for the Australian Capital Territory. The group works in close partnership with carriers to build sustainable route networks, recently announcing a significant expansion with Virgin Australia launching a direct route between Canberra and Bali, adding more than 40,000 seats annually on a highly popular international corridor. Similarly, Jetstar has committed more low-fare seats on the Canberra to Brisbane route, while Fly Pelican launched a new direct service linking Canberra and Avalon Airport in Victoria.

The resumption of Qatar Airways' daily flights to Canberra marked a major post-pandemic milestone, driving connectivity and competition that benefits Canberrans and visitors alike. Link Airways also now provides direct flights to Launceston four days a week. These achievements are the result of strategic planning by CAG’s aviation development team, whose focus extends to supporting regional destinations and ensuring the airport acts as an economic engine for the entire south-east region of Australia through efficient freight and passenger movement.

Sustainability and Environmental Leadership

With environmental initiatives that put the entire precinct on track to become one of the greenest airports in the country, Capital Airport Group has embedded sustainability into every facet of its strategic planning. This leadership was formally recognised when Canberra Airport achieved Level 4 status under the prestigious Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program by Airports Council International (ACI), making it one of Australia's highest-rated airports for carbon management. The program requires rigorous measurement, reduction, and offsetting of carbon emissions.

Sustainability is built into the physical infrastructure too, with the terminal and its surrounding business parks incorporating energy-efficient systems, water-sensitive urban design, and waste-reduction strategies. Brindabella Business Park, with its 5-Star Green Star ratings, serves as a national benchmark for sustainable commercial construction. CAG’s commitment extends to fostering biodiversity within its land holdings, managing over 600 hectares of grasslands and woodlands, and actively supporting public art installations like the eight stunning sculptures found in and around the airport that underscore a deep respect for culture and environment.

Operational Excellence and Passenger Support

The group's commitment to operational excellence is underpinned by extensive passenger support services that run 24 hours a day. The main reception line on +61 2 6275 2222 serves as the central point of contact, but specific customer service functions (+61 2 6275 2226) and recorded information lines (+61 2 6275 2236) offer dedicated assistance. The operations team ensures that all transport linkages—taxis, rideshare, rental cars, public transport, and chauffeur services—integrate neatly with the 3,300 car parking spaces available.

This operational remit covers crucial facets such as border control facilitation, customs and security coordination, and the maintenance of high cleanliness and amenity standards repeatedly mentioned in visitor feedback. While the group primarily manages infrastructure and services, it works closely with federal agencies and contracted providers to resolve pain points. Continuous improvement programs and direct feedback channels allow CAG to adapt quickly, which is essential when functioning as the primary interface welcoming thousands of daily passengers from arrival gate to city centre.

Strategic Vision and Future Growth

Capital Airport Group’s ownership model and long-term perspective, steered by founding family figures and an experienced executive team, allow it to plan on generational timelines rather than quarterly cycles. The group’s strategic vision encompasses further terminal apron expansions to accommodate next-generation aircraft and increased passenger volumes. Plans also call for enhanced freight logistics hubs to cement Canberra's role in the export of high-value Australian goods, particularly in categories like fresh produce and critical defence materiel.

The company’s future trajectory involves deepening its existing partnership with the Canberra business community and all three levels of government, leveraging major traffic upgrades like the current Majura road improvements to improve safety, traffic capacity, and cycling connections. By nurturing public art, fostering hidden disabilities inclusion, and winning repeat national awards for innovation and customer satisfaction, Capital Airport Group is positioning Canberra Airport not just as a regional airport, but as an exemplar of best practice on the global stage, aligned with the prestige expected of a national capital.