Rockhampton Airport

Rockhampton Airport
IATA: ROK – ICAO: YBRK
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner/Operator Rockhampton Regional Council
Serves Rockhampton, Queensland
Elevation AMSL 36 ft / 11 m
Coordinates 23°22′54″S 150°28′30″E / 23.38167°S 150.47500°E / -23.38167; 150.47500Coordinates: 23°22′54″S 150°28′30″E / 23.38167°S 150.47500°E / -23.38167; 150.47500
Website Rockhampton Airport
Map
YBRK

Location in Queensland

Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
04/22 1,645 5,397 Paved
15/33 2,568 8,425 Paved
Statistics (2014)
Passengers 677,447
Aircraftmovements 12,606
Sources: AIP[1]
Passenger and aircraftmovements from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport[2]

Rockhampton Airport (Connor Park) (IATA: ROK, ICAO: YBRK) is a major Australian regional airport in West Rockhampton that services the city of Rockhampton, with direct flights to the cites of Brisbane, Gladstone and Mackay. It also operates connecting flights to the cities of Townsville and Cairns. The Airport previously operated direct flights to Sydney, Townsville and Melbourne but were cancelled due to lack of passenger numbers. The Airport runway has the capability to handle aircraft such as the A380, B747 & B777 types.

In 2011, the airport handled 701,062 passengers and 12,606 aircraft movements, a drop from the 2010 figure of 777,212 passengers and 14,602 aircraft.[2] The drop is attributed in part to the airport being closed for three weeks in January due to the 2010–2011 Queensland floods.[3]

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,[4] 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.[5] 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.

In 2015 Jetgo Announced that two new flight destinations from Rockhampton would be available, Townsville & The Gold Coast

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 café/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]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
JETGO Australia Gold Coast, Townsville[8]
QantasLink operated by Cobham Aviation Services Brisbane
QantasLink operated by Sunstate Airlines Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, Townsville
Virgin Australia Brisbane

Accidents and incidents

Rockhampton Airport closed on 1 January 2011 due to flooding affecting the runway.[3] The airport was reopened on Monday, 24 January 2011.

Operations

Busiest domestic routes out of Rockhampton Airport
(In 2013-2014)[9]
Rank Airport Passengers carried % change
1 Brisbane677,442Decrease5.1

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..

Awards

The Rockhampton Airport was 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.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ YBRK – Rockhampton (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 10 November 2016
  2. 1 2 Airport traffic data
  3. 1 2 "Rockhampton Airport shuts down". The Morning Bulletin. APN News & Media. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  4. ↑ "Rockhampton Aero Club history". Rockhampton Aero Club. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2008.
  5. ↑ Dunn, Peter. "DEMOLITION OF OUR HARBOURS, AIRFIELDS, ROADS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INSTALLATIONS". www.ozatwar.com. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Rest for weary feet! New seating installed.". City of Rockhampton. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  7. ↑ "Retail Opportunities". City of Rockhampton. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  8. ↑ http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/jetgo-announces-townsville-to-gold-coast-flights/story-fnjfzs4b-1227464433771
  9. ↑ Domestic airline activity
  10. ↑ "Our airport is best in Australia and now its official!". City of Rockhampton. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
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