Salomon Kloppers: Creating a new future after the boom for Newman Airport

by The Airport Professional July 23, 2018

Salomon Kloppers: Creating a new future after the boom for Newman Airport

A visit to the East Pilbara town of Newman just a few years ago would have found an airport heaving with the ever-growing fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) workforce that characterised the mining construction boom. But when the boom ended, the Shire of East Pilbara saw a sharp decline in passenger numbers, highlighting the cyclical nature of the mining town. East Pilbara Manager Development Airports Salomon Kloppers arrived in the job right at this ...

by The Airport Professional June 6, 2018

The challenges of the outback: maintaining vital air links to the Territory

It’s hard for anyone who has never visited a remote outback community to understand the vital importance of the local airstrip. Air services are a crucial connection for these communities, not just to the rest of the world but to the essential services many Australians take for granted. Northern Territory transport officials Sue Hakala and Louise McCormick have good reason to understand all too well the problems facing remote airstrips: ...

by The Airport Professional May 8, 2018

Airport people , Regional airports

Paul McFarlane: On the ‘miracle of flight’ in the Indian Ocean Territories

Sitting alongside perfectly formed coral reefs and home to a world-famous crab migration, the airports of the Indian Ocean Territories are certainly unique. It’s not just tourists who rely on the airport to reach the island paradise – it’s also a vital link for the communities that live there. Indian Oceans Territories Airports Manager Paul McFarlane has overall responsibility for the safe operation of the region’s two international airports.

by The Airport Professional May 4, 2018

Regional airports , Tourism & trade

Coffs Harbour ready for the next decade as regional tourism hub

Coffs Harbour may be missing an apostrophe but the local airport isn’t missing out on growth opportunities. The predominantly leisure-driven market has seen passenger numbers rise by almost a third over the last decade from 315,000 in 2008-09 to 418,000. Airport manager Dennis Martin says the airport has been fortunate to see long-term passenger growth as people have moved into the North Coast NSW town and tourism has blossomed.

by The Airport Professional May 1, 2018

Regional airports , Technology & innovation

Innovation focus as Mackay prepares for new growth

The end of the resources boom meant tough times for Mackay Airport but general manager Rob Porter believes a focus on innovation and transformation means it is well placed to cater for passenger growth as the region recovers. The northern Queensland airport saw a 22 per cent rise in passenger numbers in March compared to the previous year, as it benefited from a recovery in the mining industry as well as ...

by The Airport Professional March 15, 2018

Airport people , Featured , Regional airports

Aviation connects Bardi people with oil and gas opportunity

It’s an essential operation supporting multi-billion-dollar Browse Basin resources projects, and runs like a well-oiled machine as it services up to 24 helicopters a day. It also gives members of the Djarindjin community the opportunity to work on their own land while gaining valuable aviation industry skills. A partnership between the Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation and Broome International Airport (BIA) has provided a huge boost to the Bardi people living on the ...

by The Airport Professional March 6, 2018

Regional airports

Rockhampton plans for future as regional gateway

With a terminal that can accommodate up to 1.6 million passengers and a 2628-metre high-strength runway, Rockhampton Airport can – and does – handle pretty much anything that arrives there. Military exercises at the nearby Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area bring in the big freighters and widebody long-haul passenger aircraft, while single-aisle planes are operated by Qantas, Virgin Australia and JetGo to Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Mackay and Townsville.

by The Airport Professional February 16, 2018

Regional airports

Regional airports doing it tough, survey reveals

The Federal government inquiry into the operation, regulation and funding of air route service delivery to rural, regional and remote communities has provided an opportunity to highlight the unique challenges faced by regional airports. The Australian Airports Association (AAA) recently surveyed its members to better understand the challenges they face, with 51 regional airports from across Australia responding. The survey confirmed what anecdotal evidence has been telling us for some time: ...

by The Airport Professional November 15, 2017

Major airports , Regional airports , Tourism & trade

Top End to benefit from new narrow body jets

Airports in northern Australia are likely to benefit from the flexibility new fuel fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft give airlines, CAPA Centre for Aviation executive chairman Peter Harbison has predicted. Single-aisle aircraft from the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737MAX families are set to make their presence felt on trans-Atlantic routes thanks to airlines such as budget carrier Norwegian Air.

by The Airport Professional November 1, 2017

Regional airports , Safety & security

RFDS warns airstrip upkeep is essential for Rural Health Service

The Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program may operate under the auspices of Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester, but Royal Flying Doctor Service chief Martin Laverty sees it as an essential health service for rural Australians. His argument is straight forward: if RFDS flights can’t land in an emergency or if they can’t ferry in GPs, dentists and psychologists for vital preventative health services, it means rural people do not have access ...