Third runway at Melbourne Airport to put planes over 3000 houses A third runway at Melbourne Airport will begin operating between 2018-22. EXCLUSIVE: AT least 3000 homes in Tullamarine, Gladstone Park and Broadmeadows will have planes directly overhead for the first time when a proposed third runway is built at Melbourne Airport, the airport's owners have revealed. The new runway, capable of handling A380s, will sit parallel to the existing east-west runway and begin operating between 2018 and 2022 to cope with booming passenger numbers. It will allow for almost 380,000 arrivals and departures by 2040, compared with 210,000 last year under the two-runway operation. The third runway will be mainly used for arrivals, which are quieter than departures, with planes coming in over Broadmeadows and descending over Gladstone Park before landing. Night time use will also be minimised. The airport's preliminary draft master plan, seen by the Herald Sun, outlines its vision for the next 20 years, including a $10 billion spend on infrastructure and using technology to provide a better passenger experience. Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff said the document highlighted how its future growth would drive the economy. It contributes $1.47 billion a year to Victoria's Gross State Product, a figure expected to increase to $3.21 billion by 2033. The first self-service check-in kiosks are being installed in the international terminal and passengers will be able to use them on Air New Zealand flights within weeks. Self-service bag drops will follow. Airport spokesman Matt Francis said they reflected passenger trends and reduced queues for international check-in. The airport also wants to work with airlines and government so travellers catching the Skybus can check in and print a boarding pass at Southern Cross station within 20 years. The idea could be expanded to train passengers if an airport rail link was built. The airport reiterated calls for the State Government to fund a rail link, widen the Tullamarine Freeway and provide dedicated bus lanes. More than 29.1 million passengers travelled through Melbourne Airport last year, with that number expected to rise to 46.5 million by 2023 and 64.4 million by 2033. The preliminary draft master plan will be released for public comment today. A revised version taking feedback into consideration will then go to Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese for approval.