Global Gamers Discover BNE

2022-07-14

For the month of July, gamers from across the planet will be "taking off and landing" in Brisbane as the airport and the River City are showcased to users around the globe.

Simulation company Orbx has just completed an upgrade of Brisbane Airport, featuring high resolution rendering of every feature from the taxiways to the terminals, including sophisticated 3D modelling of Brisbane City.

"Brisbane is a big airport for us. Queensland is where the Qantas story started. We know there is increased interest around Brisbane after the city was named as the host for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We love the City and love to fly there. This is a very exciting release for us," according to Anna Cicognani, CEO of Orbx.

Orbx is an Australian-based company, employing 50 people around the world to create 3D experiences for flight simulation platforms, including Microsoft Flight Simulator, Prepar3D and X-Plane.

Not only are gamers using simulators to experience the airport precinct, BNE is also deploying its own highly advanced simulator technology to help train the critical Airside Operations Team who patrol the runway, ensuring aircraft are safe.

"New team members can spend time in the simulator so they get to know the runways and taxiways before they even set foot inside the airport. We can change the weather and bring in a thick fog. We can also place debris on the runway and check to see if they’ve spotted it. Keeping a constant watch for anything which could be sucked into the engine of an aircraft is a critical role for our Airside Operations Team and the simulator is helping us make the airport safer," says Gert-Jan de Graaff, Chief Executive Officer of Brisbane Airport.

BAC is also using its own 3D simulator to plan development for the Airport City, which will employ 60,000 people by 2050.

Not only are virtual take-off and landings growing at Brisbane Airport, but also real-world traffic with the airport this week enjoying its busiest day since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The terminals are alive and buzzing again with families taking off for holidays around the world and as more routes are added, these numbers will grow. In October we look forward to welcoming United Airlines with direct services from San Francisco to Brisbane Airport."