A major expansion of Melbourne Airport is creating 3000 construction jobs, but there's still no money for a rail link or freeway upgrade.
Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff says the airport's multi-billion-dollar development plan will see passenger numbers double to 60 million in 20 years.
He said that kind of increase in passenger traffic would cripple the current airport freeway, even if a train line was built.
"The rail link is not the silver bullet," Mr Woodruff told reporters on Tuesday.
"It's desperately needed, but we also need significant road upgrades connecting this airport to the city as well, sooner rather than later."
The airport is in talks with the state government about funding such as a freeway expansion, but has been shut out of securing federal support for a connecting rail line.
Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss said federal money is only available for freight lines, not urban transport.
"We see those as projects that are better provided by states and local governments," he said.
The state government has studied building an airport rail link for years, but no timeline or final decisions have been made.
The airport's renewed push for further government funding came as 3000 ongoing construction jobs were announced as part of the first stage of its development.
Mr Woodruff said building projects have been lined up back to back, meaning there will be a steady 3000-worker construction team needed on site for many years.
The airport's long-term southern precinct will include 17 new aircraft parking bays, extra car parking, ground transport facilities and road upgrades.
The international terminal is also being upgraded and another runway will be submitted for federal planning approval within two years.
Both Jetstar and Tigerair will be housed in the new domestic terminal when it's opened in mid-2015.
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