Rockhampton Airport
Encyclopedia
Rockhampton Airport is a major Australian regional airport that services the city of Rockhampton
, with flights to the cites of Brisbane
, Sydney
, Gladstone
, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay
and Melbourne
.
In the 2009–10 financial year, Rockhampton Airport had approx 750,000 domestic and approximately 7,000 international passengers travel through the terminal. In 2007, Rockhampton Airport handled 41,232 aircraft operations. In 2009, the airport handled 725 015 passengers making it the 16th busiest airport in Australia.
In 1929, the lease to a former racecourse, Connor Park, was acquired by a number of aspiring aviators, and they set about making it suitable for aircraft. The Rockhampton Aero Club was formed on 9 February 1930, and announced that flying training would commence at the location. The aerodrome was officially opened as Connor Park Aerodrome on 2 March 1930. A few weeks later, the aerodrome was again officially opened as Rockhampton Aerodrome, and the first passenger aircraft, a Fokker
monoplane, Star of Cairns, landed.
During World War II
, facilities at the airport were substantially upgraded. The Commonwealth took over control of the airport, and the Royal Australian Air Force
moved in. An Aeradio station was established to enable air ground communication, a facility that survived as a Flight Service Unit until 1992. Control Tower facilities were also established. At one stage, work was commenced to allow rapid demolition of the runways if required. In 1987 during upgrade work, the demolition tunnels were located and filled in. In February 1989, the Rockhampton City Council was vested with ownership of the airport.
8.4 million terminal redevelopment. Changes made during the renovation included the removal of the old viewing deck, a new security screening point and departure lounge, a new cafe/restaurant, the relocation of the airport offices, check-in counters, and baggage carousel and a customs screening point for international flights.
During 2008 new changes that will be occurring at the airport include the installation of new air-conditioners and lighting, a second security screening point, a larger departures lounge and 280 new seats. Airport Management will also be releasing an Expression of Interest with the aim of adding more retail outlets to the airport.
affecting the runway. The airport was reopened on Monday, 24 January 2011.
and the Capricorn Coast provided by Youngs Bus Service
and other local operators.
Rockhampton
Rockhampton can refer to:* Rockhampton, Queensland is a city in Queensland, Australia* Rockhampton City, Queensland, a suburb of Rockhampton, Queensland* Electoral district of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia...
, with flights to the cites of Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Gladstone
Gladstone, Queensland
- Education :Gladstone has several primary schools, three high schools, and one university campus, Central Queensland University. It is also home to CQIT Gladstone Campus.- Recreation :...
, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay
Mackay, Queensland
Mackay is a city on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, about north of Brisbane, on the Pioneer River. Mackay is nicknamed the sugar capital of Australia because its region produces more than a third of Australia's cane sugar....
and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
In the 2009–10 financial year, Rockhampton Airport had approx 750,000 domestic and approximately 7,000 international passengers travel through the terminal. In 2007, Rockhampton Airport handled 41,232 aircraft operations. In 2009, the airport handled 725 015 passengers making it the 16th busiest airport in Australia.
History
Efforts to locate a permanent aerodrome site in the city had been proceeding for a number of years in the 1920s. The City Council and the Federal Government, however, could not come to an arrangement as to a suitable site. Prior to 1930, a number of locations within the city had been used for the operation of aircraft, all on a non official basis and none suitable for long term use.In 1929, the lease to a former racecourse, Connor Park, was acquired by a number of aspiring aviators, and they set about making it suitable for aircraft. The Rockhampton Aero Club was formed on 9 February 1930, and announced that flying training would commence at the location. The aerodrome was officially opened as Connor Park Aerodrome on 2 March 1930. A few weeks later, the aerodrome was again officially opened as Rockhampton Aerodrome, and the first passenger aircraft, a Fokker
Fokker
Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. The company operated under several different names, starting out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moving to the Netherlands in 1919....
monoplane, Star of Cairns, landed.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, facilities at the airport were substantially upgraded. The Commonwealth took over control of the airport, and the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
moved in. An Aeradio station was established to enable air ground communication, a facility that survived as a Flight Service Unit until 1992. Control Tower facilities were also established. At one stage, work was commenced to allow rapid demolition of the runways if required. In 1987 during upgrade work, the demolition tunnels were located and filled in. In February 1989, the Rockhampton City Council was vested with ownership of the airport.
Past and future redevelopments
In 2008, Rockhampton Airport completed an A$Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
8.4 million terminal redevelopment. Changes made during the renovation included the removal of the old viewing deck, a new security screening point and departure lounge, a new cafe/restaurant, the relocation of the airport offices, check-in counters, and baggage carousel and a customs screening point for international flights.
During 2008 new changes that will be occurring at the airport include the installation of new air-conditioners and lighting, a second security screening point, a larger departures lounge and 280 new seats. Airport Management will also be releasing an Expression of Interest with the aim of adding more retail outlets to the airport.
Airline services
Accidents and incidents
Rockhampton Airport closed on 1 January 2011 due to flooding2010–2011 Queensland floods
A series of floods hit Australia, beginning in December 2010, primarily in the state of Queensland including its capital city, Brisbane. The floods forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities. At least seventy towns and over 200,000 people were affected. Damage initially was...
affecting the runway. The airport was reopened on Monday, 24 January 2011.
Operations
| Rank | Airport | Passengers carried | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Brisbane AirportBrisbane Airport Brisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Melbourne and Sydney Airports. Brisbane Airport has won many awards. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area... |
626,500 | 4.4 |
| Rank | Airport | Passengers carried | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisbane Airport Brisbane Airport Brisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Melbourne and Sydney Airports. Brisbane Airport has won many awards. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area... |
56,900 | 9.5 |
Transport
The terminal is also serviced by bus and taxi, with regular connections to Rockhampton CityRockhampton City, Queensland
This article is about the suburb 'Rockhampton City' - representing the CBD of Rockhampton, Queensland.For urban Rockhampton, see Rockhampton, Queensland.For other uses, see Rockhampton ....
and the Capricorn Coast provided by Youngs Bus Service
Youngs Bus Service
Young's Bus Service is the principal provider of public transportation of the entire Rockhampton Region in Queensland, Australia. It will operate bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in regional Queensland as of June 2008.- Service Area :...
and other local operators.