Rockhampton Airport

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Rockhampton Airport
Rockhampton Airport logo.JPG
IATA: ROKICAO: YBRK
ROK is located in Queensland
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ROK
Location of airport in Queensland
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Rockhampton Regional Council
Operator Rockhampton Regional Council
Serves Rockhampton, Queensland
Location Rockhampton, Queensland
Elevation AMSL 10 m / 34 ft
Coordinates 23°22′54″S 150°28′30″E / 23.38167°S 150.475°E / -23.38167; 150.475Coordinates: 23°22′54″S 150°28′30″E / 23.38167°S 150.475°E / -23.38167; 150.475
Website Rockhampton Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
04/22 1,645 5,396 Paved
15/33 2,568 8,425 Paved
Statistics (FY 2007–08)
Domestic passengers 710,000
International passengers 6,000
Airport data from World Aero Data[1]
About Rockhampton Airport[2]

Rockhampton Airport (Connor Park) (IATA: ROKICAO: YBRK) 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.[3] In 2007, Rockhampton Airport handled 41,232 aircraft operations.[4] In 2009, the airport handled 725 015 passengers making it the 16th busiest airport in Australia.

Contents

[edit] 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,[5] 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.

[edit] Past and future redevelopments

In 2008, Rockhampton Airport completed an A$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.[6] Airport Management will also be releasing an Expression of Interest with the aim of adding more retail outlets to the airport.[7]

[edit] Airline services

Airlines Destinations
Qantas operated by QantasLink Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Townsville
Virgin Australia Brisbane, Sydney, Townsville
Virgin Australia operated by Alliance Airlines Brisbane
Virgin Australia operated by Skywest Airlines Brisbane

Former airlines to serve Rockhampton were Ansett, Jetstar and Tiger Airways.

[edit] Accidents and incidents

Rockhampton Airport closed on 1 January 2011 due to flooding affecting the runway.[8] The airport was reopened on Monday, 24 January 2011.

[edit] Operations

Busiest Domestic Routes out of Rockhampton Airport
(Year Ending September 2010)[9]
Rank Airport Passengers carried  % Change
1 Queensland Brisbane Airport 626,500 increase4.4
Busiest Domestic Routes out of Rockhampton Airport
(Month of September 2010)[9]
Rank Airport Passengers carried  % Change
1 Queensland Brisbane Airport 56,900 increase9.5

[edit] Transport

The terminal is also serviced by bus and taxi, with regular connections to Rockhampton City and the Capricorn Coast provided by Youngs Bus Service and other local operators.

[edit] Awards

The Rockhampton Airport has been named the 2007 Australian Major Airport of the Year at the prestigious National Awards in recognition of Excellence in Australian Aviation, in Melbourne on 13 November 2007.[3]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Roger R Marks (1994). Queensland Airfields WW2 – 50 Years On. R & J Marks. ISBN 0-646-12769-1. 
  • Lorna McDonald (1995). Rockhampton, A History of City and District. Rockhampton City Council. ISBN 0-9599897-3-0. 

[edit] External links

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