Sydney Airport appoints Mott MacDonald and Grimshaw for landmark T2–T3 terminal project

Building a future‑ready terminal through long‑term collaboration

Sydney Airport has appointed global engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald and global architecture practice Grimshaw as the lead consultants for its T2–T3 terminal link project, a major multi-year investment forming a core part of the airport’s $6 billion capital works program.

The appointment follows a global tender process to establish a panel of leading architectural and engineering firms to support the delivery of Sydney Airport’s infrastructure project pipeline over the next five years.

The new procurement framework marks a shift from project-by-project contracting to a long-term framework partnership model, designed to improve delivery efficiency, consistency, design excellence, and innovation across Sydney Airport’s infrastructure pipeline.

Delivering the next chapter of Sydney Airport’s transformation

Mott MacDonald will lead engineering, leveraging its global multidisciplinary capability and strong Australian presence to deliver complex terminal, building services, civil and structural engineering for the project as well as major airfield and apron upgrades.

Mott MacDonald’s appointment builds on its experience delivering complex airport infrastructure across major hubs including JFK, Heathrow, Hong Kong International Airport, Changi T5 and Auckland International Airport.

Grimshaw will lead architectural design for the T2–T3 terminal link, bringing extensive global aviation experience across major airport projects including London Heathrow, Istanbul Airport, Lima, JFK, and Shenzhen.

Both firms were selected following a rigorous technical and commercial evaluation process, demonstrating strong alignment with Sydney Airport’s ambition to deliver a more efficient, resilient, and world-class passenger experience.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said the appointment is a critical step in delivering the airport’s long-term growth strategy and Master Plan.

“Our $6 billion capital program is critical to maintaining an efficient, high-quality experience for airlines and passengers as we grow towards our Master Plan forecast of 72 million passengers a year by 2045.

“By partnering with world-class firms like Grimshaw and Mott MacDonald we’re strengthening our ability to deliver major projects that support jobs, economic growth and Sydney’s role as Australia’s global gateway.”

Paul Willis, Sydney Airport’s group executive, planning and delivery, said the framework approach reflects the scale and complexity of the airport’s upcoming infrastructure program.

“We would like to congratulate Grimshaw and Mott MacDonald on their appointment to the panel.

“Establishing long-term partnerships with leading design and engineering firms gives us greater consistency across projects, improves coordination between disciplines, and helps us move faster from concept to delivery while maintaining the highest standards of safety, sustainability and design quality.”

Frances Badelow, Mott MacDonald’s managing director for Australia, said: “We look forward to working with Sydney Airport to deliver a future-ready terminal, applying our engineering expertise and strong local capability to support the airport’s next phase of transformation.”

Mark Middleton, group managing partner, Grimshaw, said: “We are proud to partner with Sydney Airport on this landmark project, bringing our global aviation experience to help shape a terminal that will deliver an outstanding passenger experience while supporting long-term capacity and sustainability.”

A project aligned with Sydney Airport’s Master Plan 2045

The T2–T3 terminal link project is a central element of Sydney Airport’s preliminary draft Master Plan 2045, which forecasts growth to 72 million passengers annually by 2045.

The project will expand terminal capacity, improve airline efficiency, and deliver a more seamless passenger journey, including the introduction of up to 12 new swing gates to support both domestic and international operations.

The initial phase of the project will involve the development of early design plans, site surveys, and risk identification, all of which will help with upcoming approvals and planning processes.

The move to long-term design partnerships is expected to enable faster decision-making, stronger integration across disciplines and a more consistent approach across Sydney Airport’s infrastructure portfolio.

Further announcements will be made shortly regarding the selection of additional consultants and contractors to support Sydney Airport’s capital works program.