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Launceston Airport

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Launceston Airport
File:Launceston Airport Logo.JPG
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerAustralia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited
OperatorAustralia Pacific Airports (Launceston) Pty Ltd
ServesLaunceston
LocationWestern Junction
Elevation AMSL562 ft / 171 m
Coordinates41°32′42″S 147°12′54″E / 41.54500°S 147.21500°E / -41.54500; 147.21500
Websitewww.launcestonairport.com.au
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
14R/32L 1,981 6,499 Asphalt
14L/32R 700 2,297 Grass
18/36 690 2,264 Grass
Source: Enroute Supplement Australia [1]

Launceston Airport (IATA: LST, ICAO: YMLT) is a regional airport on the outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania. Situated in the rural area of Western Junction, the airport is located 15 km (9.3 mi) from the Launceston City Centre. It has become Tasmania's fastest growing airport.[2] Hobart International Airport and Launceston Airport are the only two airports in Tasmania to reach one million passenger movements per year. And like its Hobart counterpart Launceston is a curfew free airport. In the 2007/2008 Financial Year, Launceston Airport recorded a record 1.1 million passengers. Up 10% on the previous year. 255,000 passengers passed through the Airport during the three months to September 30, up 7% on the previous year.[2] This comes after 309,000 passengers passed through during the first 3 months of 2008. Which was the most passengers every recorded in a yearly quarter. Up 11% on the previous year.[3]

History

Virgin Blue passengers disembarking at Launceston Airport

After the formation of the Tasmanian Aero Club in 1927, the building of the first air travel facility in Tasmania on the site. In July 1929 the Home Territories Department, gained land at the Western Junction then also called Valley of Springs, for development of a 20,400 pound ($41,000) aerodrome. The Western Junction Aerodrome, was first used in 1930, with the aerodrome being officially opened in 1929.[4] On February 1931, around 20,000 people crammed into Evandale Road to watch Colonel Brinsmead, the then controller of Civil Aviation, officially open Western Junction as a government aerodrome. During 1932 small aircraft's were used for Launceston to Flinders Island flight's.

In 1962 a plan for major redevelopment of the airport was approved. This included strengthening of all pavements, a runway extension, and soon after a new terminal building.[5] The site was officially reopened that same year as Launceston Airport. In October 1982 the runway was further upgraded to Boeing 767 standard. In 1998, the airport was privatized, now being owned by a group known as Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited, who is also the owner of Melbourne Airport, in conjunction with Launceston City Council. The collapse of Ansett Australia in 2001, the introduction of Virgin Blue and the Qantas subsidiary Jetstar Airways in 2001 & 2004, and the creation of the Australian Low Cost Airline market have all contributed to a dramatic increase in aircraft movements at Launceston Airport. In 2007 Launceston Airport celebrated the milestone of reaching one million passenger movements per year as well as the introduction of Tiger Airways Australia.[6]

Terminal building

Jetstar Airbus A320 taking off from Launceston Airport

Launceston Airport currently provides a sole retail facility that sells foods and beverages and also news items. The terminal building services the four interstate airlines: QantasLink, Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways Australia.

With largely unexpected passenger growth, the terminal has proven inadequate. [citation needed] [neutrality is disputed] Before the airport upgrade had started there was only basic facilities. Baggage is collected in a shed connected to the terminal from a trolley. It is not expected until 2009 that two baggage carousels will be in operation. [citation needed]

Terminal Upgrade

A much needed $20 million dollar upgraded has just been started in June and is expected to be finished in mid 2009.[7]

The project will consist of three main parts that will provide Checked Bag Screening and new check in counter areas, new baggage reclaim procedure, with the use of two baggage carousels and new passenger lounges and screening facilities. This will approximately double the floor area of the terminal allowing for greater space passenger movement and associated activities. The first of the three parts of the project, the check bag screening and check in counters will be operational by December 2008, as required by Federal legislation for passenger security. The other two areas will come on stream in stages over the remaining construction period.

The refurbishment of the departures area will allow a single location for all airlines to provide check in facilities at the 12 new counters. These counters are linked to a new baggage handling system to a new check bag screening process for all baggage travelling on aircraft.

A revised passenger screening point will increase the level of space provided to passengers during the screening process.

For departing passengers new apron level gate lounges of approximately 1200m2 provide space and security for passengers waiting to board aircraft. For arriving passengers, a new baggage handling building of 500m2 incorporating two new baggage carousels will improve baggage reclaim activities for passengers.

For attending public, an expansion of an additional 1000m2 of the main passenger public lounge area and refurbished retail areas, will provide additional space and seating areas with a view of the apron and runway.

Food and Bar facilities will include Hudsons, Delaware North and a news and gift shop.[8]

Ground transport

Launceston Airport has a Short Term and a Long Term Car Park, as well as an Overflow Carpark that can accommodate 150 Cars.

Airport Shuttle Buses operate mainly from the City Centre to the airport.

Launceston Airport Business Park

In a separate development adjacent to the airport site there is a A$200m business park under construction which will include a Caltex service station, an Airport Motor Inn, retail showrooms and also plans for a A$36m Big Box retail development.[citation needed]

Passenger statistics

Launceston Airport's passenger numbers have increased dramatically in recent years, significantly exceeding the airports forecasts in the Airport Master Plan 2005. The passenger numbers achieved in the 2007-08 fiscal year were not anticipated until at least fiscal year 2019-20.[9]

Airlines and destinations

Virgin Blue currently has four flights from Melbourne, one from Sydney and one from Brisbane each day. Jetstar flies in three flights from Melbourne, one from Sydney and also one from Brisbane. Qantas Link flies in twice a day from Melbourne. Tiger Airways currently has only the one flight into Lauceston Airport each day, which is also from Melbourne. There is usually a total of 14 aircraft arriving and 14 departing each day. [15]

Airlines operating to/from Launceston Airport
Airlines Destinations
Airlines of Tasmania Flinders Island
Australian air Express Melbourne-Tullamarine
Jetstar Airways Brisbane, Melbourne-Tullamarine, Sydney
Qantas Melbourne-Tullamarine
Tiger Airways Australia Melbourne-Tullamarine
Virgin Blue Brisbane (seasonal), Melbourne-Tullamarine, Sydney

Future Services

Tiger Airways announced on 29th August 2008 that it will add another Launceston to Melbourne service, starting on December 15. However, due to the current World Financial Crisis, Tiger Airways has now scraped these flights. There is hope that these flights will be scheduled in the near future.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ YMLT – LAUNCESTON (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 13 June 2024
  2. ^ a b "Launceston Airport flying high". Fairfax Media. The Examiner. 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  3. ^ Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases
  4. ^ Launceston Historical Society Inc.
  5. ^ A Brief History of Aviation in Tasmania and the Launceston Airport
  6. ^ Jetstar congratulates Launceston Airport on one million passenger milestone
  7. ^ Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases
  8. ^ Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases
  9. ^ Template:PDFlink
  10. ^ Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Passenger/Aircraft Statistics
  11. ^ Media Release
  12. ^ Australia Pacific Airports Annual Report 1999
  13. ^ Australia Pacific Airports Annual Report 1998
  14. ^ "Domestic Monthly Airline Activity publication September 2008" (Website). Aviation Statistics. Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics. 2008. p. 4. Retrieved 2008-11-24. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |2=, |4=, and |6= (help); Text "1" ignored (help); Text "821,100" ignored (help); Text "Victoria (state) Melbourne Airport" ignored (help); Text "Increase13.1" ignored (help)
  15. ^ Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases
  16. ^ Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases


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