The flight path just got shorter

For an airport operator known more for its avarice than its innovation, the radical reorganisation of its terminals will surprise travellers who, by 2018, will need to scrutinise their itineraries a lot more carefully. However, the benefits in convenience could be significant.

The combining of international and domestic flights in to effectively one or more terminal buildings is common around the world, even as close as Melbourne. Sydney Airport, which has one of the smallest footprints of a major airport anywhere but with dislocated terminals, is the odd one out.

The plan makes most sense for passengers transiting to other international and domestic destinations as well as air and road traffic management. Under the existing arrangements, most international passengers connecting to domestic flights must submit to the inconvenience of being bused to their respective terminal from either around the airport apron or the inadequate airport train.

The terminals rearrangement will likely please an image-conscious tourism industry as it will help with first and last impressions of Sydney Airport for foreign tourists. For Sydneysiders, the benefits are less clear. Sydney Airport is promising better road traffic movement (though no mention of cheaper parking, now charged at CBD-like rates, or less inflated) and some new facilities.

Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather has professed a determination to improve customer service at the airport, which performed poorly compared to other Australian airports in a recent Australian Competition and consumer Commission report, even though, in this traveller's experience, the airport is no better or worse than most other airports.

The plan to reorder Sydney Airport's terminals was in fact first floated as a concept when she was first appointed. The idea was forgotten by most, disappearing in to a vapour trail of other issues including the hapless plans for a second airport for Sydney.

The reorganisation of the airport will certainly freshen up a tired and unloved brand and emphasise its importance to the city, with few world cities enjoying the benefit of a gateway so close to the heart of town.

Correction: The original version of this story referred to Kerrie Mather as "he".