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Launceston Airport

Coordinates: 41°32′42″S 147°12′54″E / 41.54500°S 147.21500°E / -41.54500; 147.21500
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Launceston Airport
Launceston Airport Terminal airside, 2023
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerLaunceston City Council
Australia Pacific Airports Corporation
OperatorAustralia Pacific Airports Corporation
ServesLaunceston
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
Maps
Map
YMLT is located in Tasmania
YMLT
YMLT
Location in Tasmania
Map
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
Statistics (2023/24)
Passenger1.4 million

Launceston Airport (IATA: LST, ICAO: YMLT) is a regional airport on the outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania. The airport is located in the industrial area of Western Junction, 15 kilometres from Launceston city centre. It is Tasmania's second busiest after Hobart.

In the 2023/24 financial year, the airport recorded 1.4 million passenger movements. It is Australia's 13th busiest airport.[citation needed]

History

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Exterior of airport terminal, 2023

After the formation of the Tasmanian Aero Club in 1927,[1] the first air travel facility in Tasmania was built on the site. In July 1929 the Home Territories Department acquired land at the Western Junction, then also called Valley of Springs, for a £20,400 ($41,000) aerodrome. The Western Junction Aerodrome was officially opened in 1929,[2] and opened for use in 1930.[3] In February 1931, around 20,000 people crammed into Evandale Road to watch Colonel Brinsmead, Controller of Civil Aviation, officially open Western Junction as a government aerodrome.[citation needed] During 1932, small aircraft flew from Launceston to Flinders Island.[citation needed]

From August 1940 until late 1944, the airport was used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a base for No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School. It was Tasmania's only RAAF Base.[4] Two of the Bellman hangars from this period are still located at the airport, on the southern Freight and General Aviation operations area.

In 1962, under the leadership of Tony John, a plan for major redevelopment of the airport was approved. This included strengthening of all pavements, a runway extension, and a new two storey terminal building built by Hansen Yuncken.[5][6] The airport was officially reopened that same year as Launceston Airport. In October 1982 the runway was further upgraded to accommodate Boeing 767s.

In 1998, the airport was privatised, and is now owned jointly by Launceston City Council and Australia Pacific Airports Corporation.[7] The collapse of Ansett Australia in 2001, the introduction of Virgin Blue and Jetstar in 2001 and 2004; and the creation of the Australian low-cost airline market; have all contributed to a dramatic increase in aircraft movements at Launceston Airport. Tiger Airways Australia also introduced services, and withdrew again in July 2010[8] as did Bonza Airlines in 2024.

Terminal

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Check-in area, 2023
Terminal waiting area, 2023
Virgin passengers embarking, 2023

In 2009 a A$20m expansion program commenced that included two new gate lounges and two new baggage carousels and a 1000m² expansion of the main landside passenger lounge, with views of the apron and runway. The redeveloped terminal was officially opened on 12 March 2010 by the Premier of Tasmania, David Bartlett.[9][10]

In 2022 Launceston Airport commenced a A$100m redevelopment, the largest expansion in its history. The project includes expansion of the Check-in Hall, security area, new food and beverage outlets, expansion of the Launceston Store and a larger Arrivals Hall to be rolled out within five years.

Supported by the State and Federal governments, the project doubled the size of the airport’s check-in hall, with an additional 650 square metres offering space for self-check-in equipment, an easier security experience and an enhanced retail offering.

The airport currently has a bar; Ben's Bar; two café outlets; Arthur's Cafe and Stack's Spot; a temporary cafe in Arrivals, The Barrow and The Launceston Store which sells both convenience items and stocks the very best of Tasmanian artisan produce, wine, spirits, art, craft and gifts.[11][12]

In August 2023, the new check-in hall opened, commencing the first stage of the airport's infrastructure development to improve the passenger experience.

The 13th of December 2023 marked the completion of the first phase in the terminal expansion, with new state-of-the-art security screening technology becoming available for airport visitors.[13]

Airlines and destinations

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The Qantas Group is the dominant operator at Launceston airport, with Jetstar operating up to six daily flights to/from Melbourne, up to two daily flights to/from Sydney and up to one daily flight to/from Brisbane throughout the year. QantasLink operates up to four flights daily to/from Melbourne, up to two daily flights to/from Sydney and seasonal services to/from Brisbane. Virgin Australia operates up to four daily flights to/from Melbourne, one daily flight to/from Sydney, between four and seven flights per week to/from Brisbane as well as a number of seasonal flights to/from Adelaide and Perth.[14]

Sharp Airlines offer up to three flights a day to Flinders Island and up to two flights a day to King Island via Burnie.[15]

Airlines of Tasmania provide twice weekly services to both Cape Barren Island and Hobart, in addition to light aircraft charter.

Bonza commenced flights to and from the Gold Coast in November 2023, with flights departing regularly all year round.[16] Flights to and from the Sunshine Coast commenced in March 2024, before the airline ceased a month later.[17]

Passenger

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AirlinesDestinations
Airlines of Tasmania Cape Barren Island, Flinders Island, Hobart–Cambridge
Jetstar Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
QantasLink Melbourne, Sydney[18]
Seasonal: Brisbane[19]
Sharp Airlines Burnie, Flinders Island, Hobart, King Island
Virgin Australia Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
Seasonal: Adelaide,[20] Perth[21]

Cargo

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AirlinesDestinations
Qantas Freight Hobart, Melbourne
Team Global Express Melbourne

Traffic and statistics

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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.[22]

Statistics

[edit]
Annual passenger traffic at LST airport. See Wikidata query.
Statistics for Launceston Airport[23][24][25][26]
Year Total passengers Aircraft movements
1995-96 595,881
1996-97 586,661
1997-98 544,185
1998-99 520,000
1999-00 540,000 27,600
2000-01 520,000 26,400
2001-02 530,000 21,600
2002-03 580,000 14,900
2003-04 670,000 15,300
2004-05 820,000 15,000
2005-06 920,000 15,000
2006-07 990,000 14,500
2007-08 1,106,000
2008-09 1,127,000
2009-10 1,131,000
2010-11 1,156,000
2011-12 1,130,000
2012-13 1,184,000
2013-14 1,278,000
2014-15 1,293,000
2015-16 1,320,952
2016-17 1,335,133
2017-18 1,362,700
2018-19 1,390,909
2019-20 1,010,713
2020-21 541,914
2021-22 745,621
2022-23 1,295,173
2023-24 1,424,000

Operations

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Busiest Domestic Passenger Routes out of Launceston Airport (Year ending June 2019)
Rank Airport Passengers handled
1 Melbourne 962,363
2 Sydney 288,999

Access

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Primary access to Launceston Airport is via private vehicles. Launceston Airport has a short stay, four long stay and a premium undercover car park. Public transport is not provided between Launceston Airport and the City of Launceston. Numerous taxi services are available as well as Uber from in front of the terminal.

Tassielink Transit bus route "Evandale-Perth-Longford- Cressy" formerly had three daily buses calling on Evandale Road outside Launceston Airport, which were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic. The closest currently operational bus stop is 34 minutes away, at Hobart Road cnr Raeburn Road, with several daily services to Launceston and various regional towns.

Accidents and incidents

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On 29 May 2003, Qantas Flight 1737 en route from Melbourne Airport was involved in an attempted hijacking shortly after takeoff. The would-be hijacker, a passenger named David Robinson, intended to fly the aircraft into the Walls of Jerusalem National Park located in central Tasmania. The flight attendants and passengers successfully subdued and restrained Robinson, and the aircraft returned to Melbourne, where it landed safely.[27][28]

References

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  1. ^ "Aero Club 25-yrs-old This Year". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. CX, no. 256. Tasmania, Australia. 7 January 1952. p. 3. Retrieved 16 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "The Passing Year". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. LXXXVII, no. 309. Tasmania, Australia. 31 December 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 16 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Launceston Historical Society".
  4. ^ "RAAF Base Western Junction". RAAF Museum.
  5. ^ Launceston Airport Australian Transport April 1965 page 26
  6. ^ "A Brief History of Aviation in Tasmania and the Launceston Airport". Archived from the original on 1 September 2007.
  7. ^ New airport leases announced Australian Aviation issue 139 May 1998 page 21
  8. ^ "Jetstar congratulates Launceston Airport on one million passenger milestone" (PDF). Jetsar. 9 October 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  9. ^ "Launceston Gets Its First of Two Baggage Carousels". Launceston Airport. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  10. ^ "$20 million redevelopment of Launceston Airport takes off". Launceston Airport. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  11. ^ "About The Expansion". Launceston Airport. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  12. ^ "The Facts". Launceston Airport. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  13. ^ "Launceston Airport". Launceston Airport. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Arrivals and Departures". Launceston Airport. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  15. ^ "Flight Schedules". Sharp Airlines.
  16. ^ Bonza to reduce number of flights between Launceston and Gold Coast Pulse Tasmania 29 April 2024
  17. ^ Bonza adds popular new route to network, starting from $89 News.com.au 2 February 2024
  18. ^ "QantasLink launches Sydney-Launceston flights, brings back Sydney-Hobart". The Regional Flyer. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Qantas and Jetstar to boost flights between Brisbane and Launceston". Qantas. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Virgin Australia launches new routes and drops epic sale". Virgin Australia. 9 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Virgin Australia launches direct Perth-Launceston services with $149 sale". Virgin Australia. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  22. ^ "2005 Master Plan" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 September 2009. (10.9 MB)
  23. ^ "Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia – Passenger/Aircraft Statistics". Archived from the original on 19 July 2008.
  24. ^ "Media Release" (PDF).
  25. ^ "Australia Pacific Airports Annual Report 1999" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2008.
  26. ^ "Australia Pacific Airports Annual Report 1998" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  27. ^ "Two stabbed in attempted hijack over Melbourne". Sydney Morning Herald. 29 May 2003. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
  28. ^ "Qantas hijacker found not guilty". The Age. 14 July 2004. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
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