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Hobart Airport

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Hobart International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerTasmanian Gateway Consortium
OperatorHobart International Airport Pty Ltd
ServesHobart
LocationCambridge, Tasmania
Hub forSkytraders
Elevation AMSL13 ft / 4 m
Websitewww.hobartairport.com.au
Map
YMHB is located in Tasmania
YMHB
YMHB
Location in Tasmania
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
12/30 2,251 7,385 Asphalt
Statistics (2014–2015)
Passengers2,186,358
Aircraft operations30,000
Aerial view of the airport

Hobart International Airport (IATA: HBA, ICAO: YMHB) is an airport located in Cambridge, 17 km (11 mi) northeast of Hobart. It is the major passenger airport in Tasmania.[4]

The Federal government owned airport is operated by the Tasmanian Gateway Consortium under a 99-year lease.[5][6]

The airport maintains a conjoined international and domestic terminal. The major airlines servicing the airport are Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways Australia operating domestic flights predominantly to Melbourne airport and Sydney airport.[4] Although the airport has not had a regularly scheduled international passenger service since 1998 (to Christchurch, New Zealand),[7] the airport maintains customs and immigration facilities for aircraft entering the country.[6][8]

Due to the airport's southern location, Skytraders operate regular flights to Antarctica on behalf of the Australian Antarctic Division using an Airbus A319.[6][9]

Hobart International Airport was opened in 1956 and privatised in 1988.[10] Occupying approximately 565 ha (1,400 acres) of land,[6] the airport is situated on a narrow peninsula. Take-offs and landings are inevitably directed over bodies of water regardless of approach or departure direction. The region immediately surrounding the airport remains largely unpopulated, which enables the airport to operate curfew-free services.[6]

In the 2010-11 financial year, the airport handled 1,903,000 passenger movements, making it the ninth busiest airport in Australia.[4]

History

Prior to the existence of the airport, the region was served by Cambridge Airport,[6] a small airport located close to the existing site. As air travel became more frequent and the number of flights increased, it was clear that Cambridge airport was only suitable for light aircraft. In June 1948, Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced the construction of a new AU£760,000 airport at Llanherne.[11] With Australia's continual interest in Antarctica, it was believed the southern-most airport of Australia would serve as an ideal base for heavy aircraft serving the region.[11] Hobart Airport was commissioned in 1956 as the primary regular public transport airport.[12] It was initially named Llanherne Airport, after the property on which it was built, but the name has since fallen into disuse. In its first full year of operation, the airport processed 120,086 passengers and 11,724 tonnes of freight, ranking fifth in Australia.[13]

By 1957, the airport's infrastructure comprised a small terminal building which remains at the southeastern end of the current terminal, two freight hangars, a fuel depot, a timber weather station, and the airport administration office and works compound.[12] In 1964, the Federal Government upgraded and lengthened the runway to cater for jet aircraft. The runway was extended again in 1985[12] to cater for large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Antonov 124 (albeit to a limited operating range).[12] The current domestic terminal building was officially opened in April 1976 and the international terminal building in 1986.[12] The Federal Government corporatised the airport in January 1988 with the creation of the Federal Airports Corporation.[14]

Privatisation

Virgin Blue & Jetstar jets on the taxiway

On 11 June 1998, Hobart airport was privatised, with a 99-year lease purchased by Hobart International Airport Pty Ltd, a Tasmanian Government-owned company operated by the Hobart Ports Corporation.[7][12][15] In 2004, the domestic terminal was redeveloped for the first time in its 30-year history. This development involved modernising the terminal, moving the retail shops to within the security screening area, realignment of the car park and moving the car rental facilities to a new building in the car park. In 2005, Hobart Airport experienced record annual passenger numbers[13] and it was decided to bring forward plans to upgrade the seating capacity of the airport. This work expanded the domestic terminal building over the tarmac by three metres to provide more departure lounge space.

In December 2007, the Tasmanian Government sold the Tasmanian Ports Corporation-owned subsidiary for A$350 million to the Tasmanian Gateway Consortium, a private consortium made up of Macquarie Capital (one of Macquarie Group's infrastructure funds) and Tasmania's public sector superannuation fund, the Retirement Benefits Fund.[6] The sale was in line with other state capital airport sell-offs, and Hobart airport was the last capital city airport remaining under government control.

Terminals

The combined check-in area

Hobart Airport has two passenger terminals. In 2007 the two terminals were connected in a 15 million dollar[16] development to meet new federal security laws that requires all checked luggage to be X-rayed.[17] In 2008, the airport received a commendation for public architecture at the Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, for the new terminal upgrade.[18] The airport currently maintains a combined international, domestic and general aviation apron. Provisions have been made to create a dedicated general aviation apron to the south of the one currently in use.[6]

Domestic terminal

The current domestic terminal was opened in 1976 and has been expanded several times since.[6] All airlines share the same check in and departure area in the centre of the building. The south-eastern end of the building contains a Qantas Club and serves as the Qantas and Jetstar Airways arrivals area, while the north-western end of the building is used by Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways Australia.[6] The domestic apron has four parking bays for narrow-body (Boeing 737/Airbus A320-sized) aircraft, overlaid by two positions for small wide-body (Boeing 767-sized) aircraft.[6]

International terminal

The international terminal was opened in 1983 to facilitate Trans-Tasman air traffic.[6][12] In 1985 the terminal was upgraded, along with the runway, to provide limited 747 operations.[6][12] There have been no regular international flights serviced by the airport since 1998,[7] when Air New Zealand suspended operations to Christchurch.[6] At present the terminal is used by Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways for domestic flights, as well as Skytraders for flights to Antarctica and occasional charter airline flights by First Choice Airways.[6][8] The terminal's apron has a single wide-body parking bay overlapping two narrow-body bays. This bay is able to accommodate large wide-body aircraft up to and including Boeing 747-400 and 777-200.[6] The international Terminal's baggage carousel and apron are used for domestic operations and for Skytraders' operations.[6]

Freight

Terminal cafe

There are two domestic freight areas operating at the airport, catering for Australian air Express, Toll Air and Virgin Australia.[6] The facility includes two buildings on a total area of approximately 10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft), including the freight apron area. Australian air Express uses dedicated jet freight aircraft.[6] In January 2007, Virgin Blue (now Virgin Australia) and Toll Air opened a 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft) dedicated freight facility to the north of the international terminal. This new freight area has no dedicated apron of its own, but rather makes use of the cargo holds of the passenger aircraft already serving the airport.[6]

General aviation

The majority of Hobart's general aviation traffic makes use of the nearby Cambridge Aerodrome, which was sold in 1999 on the condition that it remain an airport until 2004.[6] Since that date, Hobart Airport has made plans for a large expansion catering for general aviation should the owners of Cambridge Aerodrome decide to use the land for other purposes.[6] This expansion would include a new runway and a general aviation apron located south of the existing Domestic Terminal.[6]

Runway

Domestic terminal as seen from the tarmac
A Qantas Boeing 767-300 at Hobart Airport

Hobart Airport has one runway, 12/30, which is aligned north–west to south–east and is 2,251 by 45 m (7,385 by 148 ft).[6] The high strength flexible runway was constructed with an asphaltic concrete surface[12] and is adequate for unrestricted operations up to and including Boeing 767 and Airbus A300 aircraft. Boeing 777/747 aircraft can operate with a weight restriction.[12] The current runway length is adequate for direct flights to New Zealand, Cairns, Perth, Singapore and Jakarta.[12] The runway conforms to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's standards.

In 2009, Hobart International Airport Pty Ltd announced detailed plans for the airport with a new 20-year master plan.[6][19] Currently aircraft have to taxi along the runway and proceed to the parking apron via taxiways in the middle of the runway.[6] This has both capacity and safety implications for the airport, as the runway cannot be used whilst an aircraft is taxiing.[6] The plans provide for a parallel taxiway to the full length of runway.[6] When complete, aircraft landing on the runway would proceed to the end of the runway and exit via the parallel taxiway. This would allow for greater utilisation of the existing runway.[6]

The airport purchased land from the Tasmanian Government in the southern part of the airport for future development of operational facilities.[7][12] This additional area would allow for a short runway for general aviation aircraft, either parallel to the main runway along the southern end of the eastern boundary of the airport, or a cross runway[7] towards the southern end of the main runway. The alternative second runway would provide an opportunity to improve the operational management of the lighter categories of aircraft. However, the second runway is not likely to be developed any time soon, because the existing runway is under-utilised.[12]

Other facilities

Hotel

In December 2005, prominent Hobart developer Ali Sultan proposed a four star, 60-room hotel/motel for the airport.[20] The hotel, named the Quality Hotel Hobart Airport, was opened on 1 December 2008. The hotel comprises 78 rooms, a restaurant/café and a number of conference and meeting spaces.[21] The hotel employs 25 people.

Big box development

Early in 2006, the airport announced plans to build a Direct Factory Outlet, covering an area of 18,000 m2 (190,000 sq ft),[22][23] which would have made it the largest of its kind in Australia. Austexx, a Melbourne-based company was the main investor in the $100 million project.[24]

While the Tasmanian Government supported the project, believing the Direct Factory Outlet would drive retail trade growth, the Hobart City Council and a large amount of retail shop owners in the Hobart Central Business District expressed fears of losing business.[24] Concern was also expressed about the big box being built on commonwealth land and therefore escaping the state planning laws.[24] In 2008, plans for the project were submitted to the Federal Government for assessment. Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss gave approval on condition the outlet centre was cut by almost half to 10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft),[22][25] prompting Austexx to walk away from the proposal.[22] In February 2008, Austexx' chief executive Geoff Porz confirmed the Direct Factory Outlet and Homemaker Hub project was back on,[26] however Austexx went into receivership in 2010,[27] and as of 2014 the site remains undeveloped.

Airlines and destinations

Four passenger airlines currently operate regular flights from Hobart to seven destinations in the southern and eastern states of Australia. One cargo airline also operates from the airport and a specialist carrier operates to the Australian Antarctic Territory during summer. As of April 2014, Qantas has stopped all flights to Hobart, replacing existing services from Melbourne and Sydney with its subsidiary QantasLink.

AirlinesDestinationsTerminal
Jetstar Airways Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney Domestic
Qantas Brisbane (resumes 27 December 2015, ends 24 January 2016)[28] Domestic
QantasLink
operated by Cobham Aviation Services Australia 		Melbourne, Sydney Domestic
Skytraders Wilkins Runway International
Tigerair Australia Melbourne[29] Domestic
Virgin Australia Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney Domestic

Cargo

AirlinesDestinationsTerminal
Australian Air Express Cargo: Launceston, Melbourne Australian Air Express apron

Traffic and statistics

Busiest domestic routes
(Year ending June 2013)[30]
Rank Airport Passengers
(thousands)		 % change
1 Melbourne 1,337.2 Increase17.5
2 Sydney 494.9 Increase6.4
Annual passenger statistics"[4]
Year Passenger movements
2001–02 958,000
2002–03 1,010,000
2003–04 1,226,000
2004–05 1,523,000
2005–06 1,606,000
2006–07 1,629,000
2007–08 1,758,000
2008–09 1,869,000
2009–10 1,856,000
2010–11 1,903,000

Ground transport

Hobart Airport in relation to Hobart

Hobart Airport has a car park that caters for short, medium and long term parking. There is also a well-serviced taxi rank and limousine service operating at the airport. There are numerous car rental operators including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Redspot, Bargain Car Rentals, Rent For Less, Britz Maui, Tasmanian Camper Van Rentals and Cruisin Tasmania.[31]

Public transport has not been a high use alternative to private transport for those travelling to and from the airport.[6] There is a bus service that operates between the Hobart Central Business District and the airport for every departure. The shuttle departs outside the terminal after the arrival of every flight transferring passengers to the city. The primary operator for the bus service is Tasmanian Redline Coaches.[6]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hobart International Airport.

References

  1. ^ YMHB – Hobart (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 13 June 2024
  2. ^ "Movements at Australian Airports" (PDF). Airservices Australia. June 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.[dead link]
  3. ^ http://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/airport_traffic_data.aspx
  4. ^ a b c d "Air passenger movements through capital and non-capital city airports to 2030-31" (PDF). Department of Infrastructure and Transport. 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  5. ^ "Hobart Airport sold". ABC News Online www.abc.net.au. 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "2009 Hobart Airport Master Plan (draft)" (PDF). Hobart Airport. 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2009. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)[dead link]
  7. ^ a b c d e "Avline13" (PDF). Australian Government. December 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2010.[dead link]
  8. ^ a b "Plane mystery solved: Hawaiians jet in to sample Tassie". The Mercury. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  9. ^ Creedy, Steve. "Garrett launches flights to Antarctic" The Australian (online version), 11 January 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2008.
  10. ^ "Our History". Hobart Airport. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  11. ^ a b airport "Airport proposed for Hobart". The Canberra Times. 1948. Retrieved 7 March 2010. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "2004 Master Plan" (PDF). Hobart International Airport. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 June 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2006.
  13. ^ a b "Annual report (2008)" (PDF). Hobart International Airport. 2007/08. Retrieved 10 February 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)[dead link]
  14. ^ Anne Graham (2003). Managing Airports. Butterworth-Heinemann. pp. 31–34. ISBN 0-7506-5917-3. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  15. ^ "Hobart Airport". International Airport Guide. 2004. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  16. ^ "$15m airport revamp security-driven". The Mercury. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  17. ^ "Redevelopment plan PDF" (PDF). Hobart International Airport. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2006.
  18. ^ "Chinese Government Asks Nepal to Boost Security Screening at Tribhuvan International Airport". thehimalayantimes. 2014.
  19. ^ "Airport Set For Boom Travel". The Mercury. 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  20. ^ "$8m motel complex for airport". Brand Tasmania. 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  21. ^ "Quality Hotel Hobart Airport". Quality Hotel Hobart Airport. 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  22. ^ a b c "Unhappy developer pulls out of DFO". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  23. ^ "Development Plan" (PDF). Hobart International Airport. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2006.
  24. ^ a b c "Future of Controversial Big Box in Federal Hands". The Mercury. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  25. ^ "direct factory outrage". factory outlet shopping. 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  26. ^ "DFO to go ahead". ABC News Online. 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  27. ^ Bachelard, Michael (22 August 2010). "DFO carve-up to pay banks". The Age. Retrieved 28 July 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  28. ^ "Qantas Latest News". Qantas. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  29. ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/news/tiger-airways-adds-hobart-to-destination-list/story-fn32891l-1226334283978
  30. ^ "Domestic Aviation activity June 2013" (PDF). The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE). August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  31. ^ "Car Rental" Hobart Airport, 5 September 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2014
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