Capital Airport Group flies high as 2016 Telstra ACT Business of the Year

Posted on 26 July, 2016

The Capital Airport Group, which oversees the aviation gateway to Canberra, has been named the 2016 Telstra Australian Capital Territory Business of the Year.

Each year, nearly three million passengers travel through Canberra Airport to and from Australia’s capital cities. This number is expected to more than double within the next decade, and expand internationally with flights to Singapore and Wellington opening later this year

Stephen Byron, Managing Director of Canberra Airport Group, is proud of the significant impact the business makes to the local and national economy.

“More than 12,000 people currently work at the airport precinct across 280 businesses, making a major contribution to the local and national economy,” he said.

The Capital Airport Group also won the Medium Business Award.

When commercial pilot and former property developer Terry Snow acquired Canberra Airport in 1998, it was little more than a clunky terminal with a rundown runway. He set out to rebuild and create an airport worthy of the Australian capital city. With a vision of building the world’s best small airport, Capital Airport Group has invested $2 billion in the modernisation of Canberra Airport.

Making the most of his property expertise, Snow developed 200,000m² of office, retail and accommodation space adjacent to the airport, and used the revenue generated from the project to fund the redevelopments.

In April 2014, after 16 years of work, then Prime Minister Tony Abbott unveiled the transformation saying it spoke of the pride and confidence of the city and of Australia. Now, the airport enables frequent and direct flights to almost all of Australia’s capital cities, with the first two international flights, to Singapore and Wellington, opening later this year.

In addition, more than 12,000 people currently work at the airport precinct across 280 businesses. Each year, almost 3 million passengers travel to and from Canberra Airport to fly, greet, work, and do business. This number is expected to more than double within the next decade, but the Capital Airport Group is ready to tackle the challenge.

Other businesses recognised at the 2016 Telstra ACT Business Awards include: engineering and asset management specialists, Relken Engineering Pty Ltd, which won the New Business Award;  iSimulate, a business developing medical and emergency devices, won the Micro Business Award; The Rehabilitation Specialists, which provides medical and support services to help people get back to work, won the Small Business Award and the iconic Ronald McDonald House won the Charity Award for supporting families going through childhood illness.

Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, Mr Andy Ellis, said the winners of the 2016 Telstra ACT Business Awards demonstrate innovation, competitiveness and strong financial performance.

“The winners of the 2016 Telstra ACT Business Awards are brilliant businesses who innovate, push boundaries and inspire others,” he said.

“They are celebrated for being bold, being disruptive, they are often at the forefront of technology and are always looking for new ideas and ways of doing things. Capital Airport Group has a long-term business model, demonstrating growth and complexity and resilience.

“The business is a tangible success story for Canberra and the region, bringing broader business opportunities to the community. Canberra Airport Group also boasts great employee advocacy as a result of excellent recognition and validation of their staff.”

Now in its 24th year, the Telstra Business Awards showcase and celebrate the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of Australia’s most brilliant small and medium businesses across five Award categories: Micro Business, Small Business, Medium Business, New Business and, new in 2016, Charity, which is designed to recognise the significant contribution of not-for-profit organisations to not only Australian communities but the economy as well.

State and Territory category winners will travel to Sydney for the national judging on Thursday 25 August, culminating in a glittering celebration dinner on Friday 26 August.