Since its creation in 2013, Aircraft Viewing Area #2 on Operations Road has given the public an opportunity to connect with the world of aviation. For plane spotters, photographers, students, families, and tourists, this area is one of the few places where people can safely view aircraft at Australia's second-busiest airport.

But the truth is — this viewing area is no longer enough.

📸 The Problem…

 What currently exists is just a flat gravel car park with no shelter, no seating, and no elevation. The only thing separating viewers from the runway is a tall chain-link fence with barbed wire that obstructs the view and makes photography very difficult if you do not have a ladder.

 

 

 

(Aircraft Viewing Area on google maps.)

Photographers are forced to shoot through barbed-wire fencing, while kids and families struggle to see over it at all. Even basic viewing becomes frustrating, and on hot or rainy days, the lack of shade or shelter makes visits uncomfortable and short-lived.

 

 

 

(Google Maps view, showing the Fencing At the Area.)

Photographers are forced to shoot through barbed-wire fencing, while kids and families struggle to see over it at all. Even basic viewing becomes frustrating, and on hot or rainy days, the lack of shade or shelter makes visits uncomfortable and short-lived.

For a Airport that prides itself on world-class infrastructure, this space does not reflect the passion of the people who come here to connect with aviation.

🛫 The Opportunities ..

Airports around the world — including Sydney, Brisbane, Singapore, Frankfurt, and LAX — offer elevated, shaded, and dedicated aircraft viewing platforms. These platforms allow for:

 

-Clear, fence-free views of runways and taxiways—Safe and comfortable spaces for families and school groups.
-Increased public engagement with aviation.
-Opportunities for STEM education, photography, and inspiration.      

Melbourne Airport has already taken the first step by creating this area, now it's time to take it further. The land is already cleared and accessible. A simple raised platform with a canopy and seating would transform this space into a genuine asset for the public and the airport alike.

 

 
🧭 Our Request
We, the undersigned, ask Melbourne Airport and Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (APAC) to invest in a simple but meaningful upgrade:

✅ An elevated aircraft viewing platform
✅ Shelter and shade for visitors
✅ Accessible design suitable for children, older adults, and people with disabilities
✅ Safe parking and signage

This isn’t just a request for a structure — it’s a call to support the passion, education, and inspiration aviation brings to our community.

 

 

 

 

 

(Example of how the Fencing impacts viewing and Photography of Aircraft) 

 

📢 Help Us Take Off!! 🛫
By signing this petition, you're helping Melbourne Airport become not only a global aviation hub — but a place where the community feels welcomed, seen, and inspired.