Cairns Airport: A Sprawling Tropical Aviation Hub

Cairns Airport (IATA: CNS, ICAO: YBCS) is an international airport in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The airport is located 4.3 km north-northwest of Cairns or 7 km north of the Cairns Central Business District, in the suburb of Aeroglen. Cairns Airport has direct flights to 10 international and 35 domestic destinations. The airport has two passenger terminals on the eastern side, which are approximately 6 km north of the Cairns Central Shopping Centre. The single runway at Cairns Airport is 3,156 m long, with a smaller 925 m runway for general aviation to the east. The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1928 when Tom McDonald started flying his de Havilland Gipsy Moth off a sand ridge near the present airport. The airport was then used by the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, with the main runway lengthened and hardened to accommodate military aircraft. Today, Cairns Airport is a major transport hub, serving over 5 million passengers annually and offering a range of domestic and international flight connections.

Cairns Airport's runway

Cairns Airport (IATA: CNS, ICAO: YBCS) is an international airport in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It is located 2.3 nautical miles (4.3 km; 2.6 mi) north-northwest of Cairns or 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of the Cairns Central Business District, in the suburb of Aeroglen. The airport has direct flights to 10 international and 35 domestic destinations.

The airport has a long history, dating back to 1928 when Tom McDonald started flying his de Havilland Gipsy Moth off a sand ridge near the present airport. In 1936, the Cairns City Council bought 162 hectares of land and built three runways made of cinders, red earth, weathered rock, and sand. During World War II, the Australian Government purchased the airport for use by the Royal Australian Air Force, and the main runway was hard-surfaced and lengthened to accommodate military aircraft.

Over the years, the runway has undergone several extensions and upgrades to accommodate larger aircraft and increasing air traffic. In 1949, the main runway was lengthened to 1,730 m (5,680 ft). During the mid-1960s, the runway was further extended to 2,020 m (6,630 ft) and strengthened to accommodate jets. In 1982, redevelopment of the airport began, which included extending the main runway to 2,600 m (8,500 ft), making it the longest runway in Queensland at the time. The redevelopment was completed in 1984, and a dual International and Domestic Terminal was opened.

As of 2022, the airport has a single runway (15/33) that is 3,156 m (10,354 ft) long. There used to be a smaller runway (12/30) for general aviation to the east of the main runway, but it was closed in April 2011 and converted into a helipad area. The airport also has two passenger terminals on the eastern side, approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the Cairns Central Shopping Centre.

Terminal buildings

Cairns Airport (CNS) in Queensland, Australia, has two passenger terminals on the eastern side of the airport, built on reclaimed mangrove swamp. The terminals are in separate buildings, 200 metres apart. The Domestic Terminal, with five jet bridges and 17 gates, is used by Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and other airlines for flights to most Australian capital cities and regional communities in Far North Queensland. The International Terminal, with six jet bridges and ten gates, services flights to 10 international destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The airport's history dates back to 1928 when Tom McDonald began flying his de Havilland Gipsy Moth off a sand ridge near the present airport site. The Cairns City Council bought land and built three runways in 1936, but the Australian Government acquired the airport during World War II for the Royal Australian Air Force. The main runway was lengthened and sealed to accommodate military aircraft.

In the 1960s, the airport was upgraded to handle jets, and in the 1970s, it began offering regular scheduled services to Australian cities and Papua New Guinea. The first international flights commenced in 1975 by Air Niugini to Port Moresby. Redevelopment began in 1982, including lengthening the runway and constructing a new terminal building. The dual International and Domestic Terminals officially opened in 1984.

Cairns Airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, including the addition of new aircraft parking bays and extended taxiways, and a dedicated air-freight terminal announced in 2022. The airport is committed to providing an exceptional customer experience through initiatives like the Airport Customer Experience (ACE) Program and the Airport Ambassador Program, ensuring that everyone working at the airport plays a role in delivering excellent customer service.

Location and surroundings

Cairns Airport (CNS) is located 4.3 km north-northwest of Cairns, or 7 km north of the Cairns Central Business District, in the suburb of Aeroglen. The airport is nestled between Mount Whitfield to the west and Trinity Bay to the east. The airport's proximity to these landmarks provides a visually stunning approach for incoming and departing flights.

The airport is conveniently situated near several major transportation arteries. It is accessible via Airport Avenue, which is just off Sheridan Street, also known as Captain Cook Highway. This strategic location facilitates easy access for travellers and connects the airport to the surrounding regions.

Cairns Airport features two passenger terminals, known as the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal, situated on the eastern side of the airport. These terminals are approximately 6 km north of the Cairns Central Shopping Centre. The terminals are housed in separate buildings, about 200 metres apart, with the Domestic Terminal boasting five jet bridges and 17 gates, while the International Terminal offers six jet bridges and ten gates.

In addition to the passenger terminals, Cairns Airport also accommodates emergency medical retrieval and rescue services, including Emergency Management Queensland and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The airport's location and surrounding infrastructure ensure efficient access for these vital services.

The airport's surroundings include a mix of natural landscapes and urban development. With its proximity to Trinity Bay and the northern beach suburbs, the airport enjoys a coastal setting. Meanwhile, the presence of Mount Whitfield adds a dimension of geographical diversity to the area. The balance of natural beauty and urban infrastructure contributes to the unique character of Cairns Airport and its surroundings.

History and ownership

Cairns Airport, located in Queensland, Australia, has a rich history dating back to the early days of aviation in the country. The airport's origins can be traced back to 1928 when Tom McDonald began flying his de Havilland Gipsy Moth off a sand ridge near the present airport site. However, the airport truly came into its own during World War II when the Australian Government bought it for use by the Royal Australian Air Force.

During this time, the main runway was hard surfaced and lengthened to accommodate military aircraft. It was also used by the United States Army Air Forces as a transport base. In the post-war years, the airport continued to develop and expand. In 1949, the main runway was lengthened again to accommodate larger aircraft, and in the mid-1960s, it underwent further upgrades to allow jets to land.

During the 1970s, the airport became a hub for domestic airlines in Australia, with regular scheduled services to most Australian capital cities and even Papua New Guinea. In 1975, Air Niugini became the first international airline to commence flights out of Cairns, marking the airport's emergence as an international aviation hub.

In 1982, a significant redevelopment of the airport began, which included lengthening the runway and constructing a new terminal building. This redevelopment was completed in 1984, and a dual International and Domestic Terminal was opened, enhancing the airport's capacity and functionality.

Over the years, the airport has undergone multiple expansions and upgrades to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and evolving aviation standards. In 2007, a $200 million redevelopment of the Domestic Terminal commenced, followed by another upgrade in 2019 to prepare for the projected increase in passenger numbers.

In terms of ownership, the Cairns Airport has changed hands several times. Initially, it was operated by the Cairns Port Authority. However, in December 2008, the Queensland Government sold the airport to a private consortium. Currently, the North Queensland Airports Group owns the airport, which also includes Mackay Airport and the Mackay Airport Hotel. This group is privately owned by a consortium of shareholders, including IIF Cairns Mackay Investment Ltd, TIF Airports Pty Ltd, and Perron Airports Holdings Pty Ltd. Perron and its assets are held by various entities collectively known as The Perron Group, with a focus on retail and office space investments.

Airlines and destinations

Cairns Airport is an international airport in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It is the seventh busiest airport in the country, with direct flights to 10 international and 35 domestic destinations. The airport has two passenger terminals on its eastern side, which are approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the Cairns Central Shopping Centre. The Domestic Terminal has five jet bridges and 17 gates, while the International Terminal has six jet bridges and ten gates.

The airport serves as a major port for Qantas, with flights operated to all major Australian cities and tourist destinations, as well as regional communities in Far North Queensland. It is also a base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the search and rescue helicopters of the Queensland Government. Other airlines that operate from Cairns Airport include Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Air Niugini.

In 2019, Cairns Airport handled just over 5 million passengers. The airport has seen significant growth in passenger traffic and aircraft movements over the years, leading to various expansion and redevelopment projects. In 2007, a $200 million redevelopment of the Domestic Terminal began, which was completed in 2010. Another upgrade of the Domestic Terminal was undertaken in 2019, with a total cost of $55 million, to prepare for the projected increase in passenger traffic.

In terms of destinations, Cairns Airport offers direct flights to several international locations, including Singapore, Manila, Auckland, Hong Kong, Seoul, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The airport also has flights to various domestic destinations within Australia, serving most Australian capital cities. Additionally, there are regular scheduled services to Papua New Guinea, with historical records indicating that Air Niugini was the first international airline to commence flights to Port Moresby in 1975.

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