From trial to rollout: Mobility hubs set to transform travel at Melbourne airport

Disabled passengers travelling through Melbourne Airport will soon find it easier to navigate the growing terminal precinct, with a new accessibility service set to launch in September.

Airports can be daunting spaces for anyone, but for those with mobility issues the distances between car parks, check-in, security and gates can be exhausting. Melbourne Airport — the country’s second-busiest international gateway — is no exception, with passenger numbers continuing to grow as expansion works reshape the site.

The new initiative follows a successful 2024 trial and will see mobility hubs installed across the airport, providing access to buggies and powered wheelchairs. The service, known as Melbourne Airport Assist, will run daily from 6am to 10pm and is designed to complement support already offered by airlines.

Operated by long-standing not-for-profit Travellers Aid, the hubs will provide extra help for those who find the long walks between car parks, terminals and gates challenging.

Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said the program had been developed to give passengers both practical assistance and a greater sense of independence.

“Improving accessibility is a key focus for us, and we’re proud to deliver a service that makes it easier for travellers with mobility issues to get around the airport,” she said.

Travellers Aid has more than a century of experience in the disability sector and worked with the airport on last year’s pilot. Argus said feedback from passengers during the trial helped shape the new service.

The mobility hubs form part of Melbourne Airport’s long-term accessibility plan and are expected to expand further when new pick-up and drop-off areas open in 2026.