Exploring The History Of Ayers Rock Airport

how old is ayers rock airport

Ayers Rock Airport, also known as Connellan Airport, is located in the Outback of Central Australia, in the Northern Territory. It is around 450-470km away from Alice Springs, the nearest large town, and just a 20-minute drive from Uluru (Ayers Rock). The airport became fully operational in late 1984, seeing around 300,000-400,000 passengers annually.

Characteristics Values
Name Ayers Rock Airport (Connellan Airport)
IATA Code AYQ
ICAO Code YAYE
Location Yulara, Northern Territory, Australia
Distance from Uluru 20-minute drive
Distance from Ayers Rock Resort 6km (3.5 miles) or 10-minute drive
Distance from Alice Springs 450km (280-288mi) or 5-hour drive
Annual Passenger Traffic 300,000-400,000
Terminals 1
Runway Length 2,599m (8,500 ft)
Runway Width 30m (98 ft)
Notable Events Hosted the Olympic Torch in 2000

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The airport is 20 minutes from Uluru

Ayers Rock Airport, also known as Connellan Airport, is located in the outback and is only a 20-minute drive from Uluru. The airport is situated near Yulara, around 463 km (288 mi) (5 hrs drive) away from Alice Springs, Northern Territory, and 20 minutes drive from Uluru / Ayers Rock itself. An average of just under 300,000 passengers pass through this airport each year.

The airport is a quick 20-minute drive from the town of Yulara, where the airport is located, to Ayers Rock. There are plenty of transport services available to get visitors where they need to go. Several transport companies are on hand at Connellan Airport to ferry passengers to their final destinations around Ayers Rock.

The airport itself is quite modest, with a single terminal containing only the most basic amenities. However, the options for food, drinks, and travel sundries are usually enough to satisfy most travellers. The small size of the airport means that there is never any congestion or long lines, making it a convenient option for those flying into the area.

The airport became fully operational in late 1984, and since then, it has provided unparalleled access to the remote UNESCO World Heritage site of Ayers Rock (Uluru). Uluru is a unique and magical geological formation that is about as remote as anything in Australia, and flying into Ayers Rock Airport is the fastest way to reach it.

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It is also known as Connellan Airport

Ayers Rock Airport, also known as Connellan Airport, is located in the outback and is only a 20-minute drive from Uluru. The airport sees around 300,000 passengers annually and is served by carriers Jetstar and Qantas. Qantas has the most services from the airport, offering flights to Cairns and Sydney, while Jetstar operates flights to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Connellan Airport is named after Edward Connellan, the founder of Connellan Airways, who constructed an airport near Uluru in the 1940s. In the 1950s, tourism infrastructure surrounding Ayers Rock meant that a decision was made to move the airport and other facilities outside the national park. The new airport became operational in 1984 and is located in Yulara, around 463 km (288 mi) (5 hrs drive) away from Alice Springs, Northern Territory, and 20 minutes drive from Uluru / Ayers Rock itself.

The airport features a single terminal with basic amenities, including food, drinks, and travel sundries. The modest size of the airport means that there is never any congestion or long lines. Several transport companies are available at Connellan Airport to take passengers to their final destinations around Ayers Rock. The airport also offers special scenic flights over Uluru on helicopters and light aircraft.

Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It is considered one of the most impressive landmarks in Australia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The nearest large town is Alice Springs, located approximately 450-470 km away. For travellers flying into Alice Springs, it is a five-hour drive to Ayers Rock, while flying directly into Ayers Rock Airport is a faster option.

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Around 300,000 passengers fly there annually

Ayers Rock Airport, also known as Connellan Airport, is located in the outback and is only a 20-minute drive from Uluru. Around 300,000 passengers fly into the airport each year to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site. The airport is situated in the remote Northern Territory of Central Australia, around 450-470km (280-288mi) away from the nearest large town, Alice Springs. This equates to a five-hour drive, so flying directly into Ayers Rock Airport is a much quicker option for travellers wanting to visit Uluru.

The airport is small, with just one terminal containing basic amenities. However, there are usually enough food, drink, and travel options to satisfy travellers. The airport's modest size means there is never any congestion or long lines. Several Australian carriers provide regular services to Ayers Rock Airport, including Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Qantas, QantasLink, and Fly Tiwi. Qantas has the most services from the airport, offering flights to Cairns, Sydney, Alice Springs, and Cairns. Jetstar is the only other commercial operator at the airport, flying to the three main centres on Australia's East Coast: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Ayers Rock Airport is also a popular stopping point for private pilots and passengers travelling in their own aircraft. The airport services both fixed and rotary-winged aircraft. The runway is 2,599m x 30m (8,527ft x 98ft) and can accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800 jetliners operated by Qantas and the Airbus A320 jetliners operated by Jetstar.

The airport is located in the town of Yulara, which offers a range of accommodation options for visitors. There are full-service resorts providing amenities and comfort in this remote part of Australia. Transport services are also available to take passengers from the airport to their final destinations around Ayers Rock. Additionally, the airport offers special scenic flights over Uluru and Kata Tjuta on helicopters and light aircraft.

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It is located in the outback

Ayers Rock Airport, also known as Connellan Airport, is located in the outback of Australia. It is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Uluru (Ayers Rock), a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, and one of the most impressive landmarks in Australia.

The airport is situated in the remote outback, around 450-470km (280-288 miles) away from Alice Springs, the nearest large town of note in the area. It is a five-hour drive from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock, but travellers can also opt to fly directly into Ayers Rock Airport, which is just a 20-minute drive from Uluru.

The airport is located in the small town of Yulara, which is around a 10-minute drive from the Ayers Rock Resort. Yulara was established in the 1970s when it was decided to move all tourist facilities outside the national park to protect the environment. The new airport and facilities in Yulara became fully operational in 1984, with the original airstrip near Uluru closing in 1982.

Ayers Rock Airport is a modest, remote airport with a single terminal offering basic amenities. Despite its small size, it handles around 300,000-400,000 passengers per year, who are travelling to see the famous Uluru. The airport has a 2,599-metre runway and is serviced by Jetstar and Qantas, with the latter offering the most flights.

The unique location of Ayers Rock Airport in the Australian outback means that it provides unparalleled access to Uluru and the surrounding natural and cultural attractions.

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The nearest large town is Alice Springs

The nearest large town to Ayers Rock Airport is Alice Springs, which is located in the Northern Territory of Central Australia. Alice Springs is around 450km to 470km away from the airport, which equates to roughly a five-hour drive.

Alice Springs is a popular airport for travellers looking to reach Australia's red centre, but it is a longer drive to Uluru than if you fly into Ayers Rock Airport. Many travellers opt to fly into Alice Springs and then make the five-hour drive to Ayers Rock. However, it is quicker to fly directly to Ayers Rock Airport, which is just a 20-minute drive from Uluru.

Alice Springs Airport is served by a range of carriers, including Alliance Airlines, Air North, Qantas, and Virgin Australia. Qantas offers flights from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock Airport, and these flights take just under two hours.

Alice Springs is also a popular destination for travellers interested in exploring the surrounding outback. The town offers a range of accommodation options and tours, such as camel tours and hot air balloon rides. The MacDonnell Ranges and Finke Gorge National Park are also located near Alice Springs.

Frequently asked questions

The current airport, also known as Connellan Airport, opened in 1984. However, there was an original airstrip built in the 1950s which was closed when the current airport was opened.

Ayers Rock Airport is located in the outback, around 450km (280-288mi) away from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Australia.

The airport sees around 300,000-400,000 passengers annually.

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