Lois Larson
Melbourne has four airports: Melbourne International Airport, Avalon Airport, Essendon Airport, and Moorabbin Airport. Melbourne International Airport, also known as Melbourne Airport, is Melbourne's main airport and is located 23 km (14 mi) from the city centre. Essendon Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller airport located 11 km (6.8 mi) from the city centre. In 1967, Air Force One landed at Essendon Airport, carrying United States President Lyndon B. Johnson. Given that Air Force One has previously landed at an airport in Melbourne, it is likely that it can also land at Melbourne's main airport or other airports in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Melbourne Airport, Essendon Fields Airport (colloquial name Essendon Airport) |
| Location | 11 km from Melbourne's City Centre |
| Air Force One landing | Yes, Air Force One landed at Essendon Airport on 22 December 1967 |
| Airport type | Public airport |
| Airport size | 305 ha |
| Airport code | MEB, YMEN |
| Airport ownership | Edgelear Pty. Ltd. |
| Nearby airport | Avalon Airport |
| Distance from downtown Melbourne | 1.5 miles |
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What You'll Learn
Air Force One landed at Essendon Airport in 1967
Melbourne Airport, also known as Essendon Airport, is located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Essendon Airport was Melbourne's first international airport, proclaimed as Essendon Aerodrome by the Commonwealth Government in 1921. In February 1950, Essendon became Australia's second international airport and Melbourne's first.
In 1959, the construction of a new airport began in Tullamarine, and in 1962, Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced a five-year plan to provide Melbourne with a $45 million "jetport" by 1967. Essendon Airport continued to be Melbourne's main airport until 1970, when it was replaced by Tullamarine Airport.
On December 22, 1967, Air Force One landed at Essendon Airport, carrying United States President Lyndon B. Johnson. President Johnson had travelled to Australia to attend the memorial service of Prime Minister Harold Holt. After landing, the plane flew empty to Tullamarine as its weight when refuelled was too heavy for Essendon's tarmac.
This event marked a significant moment in the history of Essendon Airport, which had undergone expansions and upgrades to accommodate larger aircraft, including the introduction of the first jet aircraft for domestic air travel in Australia, the Boeing 727, in October 1964.
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Essendon Airport is Melbourne's closest airport
Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, has several airports serving the Melbourne area. The Essendon Airport, now known as Essendon Fields Airport, is located in the north-western suburb of Essendon Fields, approximately 11 km (6.8 miles) from the city centre. It is the closest airport to Melbourne's city centre.
The airport was proclaimed as Essendon Aerodrome by the Commonwealth Government in 1921. It was originally used by the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Aero Club (later renamed the Royal Victorian Aero Club). Essendon became Melbourne's first international airport in 1950 and was renamed Melbourne Airport.
In the 1950s, Essendon Airport was deemed too small for larger jets, and in 1959, the government approved the acquisition of land in Tullamarine for a new international airport. Essendon continued to operate as Melbourne's main airport until 1970 when commercial international flights were transferred to the new airport, followed by commercial domestic flights a year later.
Today, Essendon Fields Airport caters to scheduled commercial, corporate-jet, charter, and general aviation flights. It also provides facilities and services for aircraft maintenance, airfreight, aircraft charter, and emergency air services. The airport is home to the Victorian Air Ambulance, Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the Victoria Police Air Wing.
In terms of Air Force One's ability to land at Melbourne's regional airport, there is historical precedence. On December 22, 1967, Air Force One landed at Essendon Airport, carrying United States President Lyndon B. Johnson for the memorial service of Prime Minister Harold Holt. However, due to the weight of the aircraft when refuelled, it had to fly empty to Tullamarine as Essendon's tarmac could not accommodate it.
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Melbourne International Airport is Melbourne's main airport
Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport, is Melbourne's main airport. It is located 23 km (14 mi) from the city centre, in the suburb of Tullamarine. The airport has 68 gates: 53 domestic and 15 international. The airport features direct flights to 33 destinations across Australia and numerous destinations in Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
Melbourne Airport was established in 1967, replacing Essendon Airport as Melbourne's main airport. Essendon Airport, located 11 km (6.8 mi) from Melbourne's city centre, was Melbourne's first international airport, inaugurated in February 1950. It was originally known as Essendon Aerodrome and was proclaimed as an airport by the Commonwealth Government in 1921.
Melbourne Airport underwent major upgrades in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with expansions to its domestic terminals and the addition of a second pier for smaller regional airlines. The airport is home to an air traffic control facility, Melbourne Centre, which manages aircraft separation in Australia's busiest flight information region, covering a vast airspace over multiple states and the Indian and Southern Oceans.
Melbourne Airport serves as a significant hub for Qantas and Virgin Australia, with Qantas offering unique "flightseeing" services over Antarctica. The airport is also a base for Jetstar Airways and Tiger Airways Australia. Melbourne Airport is the busiest airport for international export freight and the second busiest for import freight as of August 2011.
To clarify, Melbourne Orlando International Airport is a separate airport located in Florida, United States. It was previously known as Melbourne International Airport until a name change in 2015. This airport is unrelated to Melbourne's main airport, which is officially named Melbourne Airport or Tullamarine Airport.
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Melbourne Orlando International Airport is located in Florida
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of downtown Melbourne, in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is situated 70 miles (110-113 km) southeast of Orlando, in the central Florida region known as the Space Coast. The airport is accessible via NASA Boulevard (State Road 508).
The airport is governed by a board of seven members, appointed by the Melbourne City Council and the private sector. The airport's budget is included in the Melbourne municipal budget, and it does not receive any local tax dollars. The airport's executive director is Greg Donovan, A.A.E.
The airport was originally known as Melbourne International Airport, but in 2015, it was renamed Orlando Melbourne International Airport. However, due to a lawsuit claiming that this name was misleading to passengers, it was changed again in May 2021 to Melbourne Orlando International Airport.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport has a long history, dating back to 1928 when a Pitcairn Aircraft landed on a cow pasture strip north of Kissimmee Highway. Airmail service commenced later that year, and the airport became a designated fuelling stop. In 1933, the City of Melbourne acquired 160 acres (65 ha) west of Indian River Bluff for the development of a new airport. During World War II, the airport was utilised as Naval Air Station Melbourne. Following the war, it was returned to the city as a Surplus Property Airport and deeded to Melbourne in 1947.
The airport has undergone significant growth and development over the years, with recent upgrades and expansions totalling $72 million, adding over 86,000 square feet of new and improved facilities and amenities. According to a 2023 study, MLB and its tenants contribute over $3 billion annually to the Space Coast's economy.
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Melbourne Airport is 23km from the city centre
Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport, is located 23 kilometres (14 miles) from the city centre. It takes 20 to 45 minutes to travel between the airport and the city centre, depending on traffic. The airport is accessible via the Tullamarine Freeway, which has direct access to the airport grounds.
There are several transport options for travelling between Melbourne Airport and the city centre. The most convenient way is to take the SkyBus Express Airport Transfers, a 24-hour double-decker bus service. The journey typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Tickets can be purchased from electronic ticket machines at the SkyBus stop or online. Taxis and Ubers are also available and are a more comfortable option, although they may be more expensive.
Another option is to take the train to Southern Cross Station, which takes around 30 minutes. From there, you can walk to your hotel if it is nearby, or transfer to another train if your hotel is closer to Central Station. The total travel time, including waits, can be up to 1.5 hours. The train runs from 5 am to midnight, Monday to Thursday, and all night on Fridays and weekends. The fare is AUD 4.40, but you will need to purchase a myki card for AUD 6 to use the train service.
Melbourne Airport is also served by tram and bus services, providing additional options for travellers. The airport is well-connected to the city centre, making it convenient for passengers arriving or departing from Melbourne.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Air Force One landed at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, on 22 December 1967, carrying United States President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Air Force One landed at Essendon Airport, which is now known as Essendon Fields Airport.
Yes, Essendon Fields Airport is located in the north-western suburb of Essendon Fields in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Yes, Essendon Fields Airport is operational and serves scheduled commercial, corporate-jet, charter, and general aviation flights.
No, Melbourne Airport, also known as Melbourne International Airport or Tullamarine Airport, is the main airport in Melbourne.
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