Launceston Airport.html



Launceston Airport (IATA: LST, ICAO: YMLT) is a regional airport on the outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania. Situated in the rural area of Western Junction, the airport is located 15 km (9.3 mi) from the Launceston City Centre. It has become Tasmania's fastest growing airport.² Hobart International Airport and Launceston Airport are the only two airports in Tasmania to reach one million passenger movements per year. And like its Hobart counterpart Launceston is a curfew free airport. In the 2007/2008 Financial Year, Launceston Airport recorded a record 1.1 million passengers. Up 10% on the previous year. 255,000 passengers passed through the Airport during the three months to September 30, up 7% on the previous year.² This comes after 309,000 passengers passed through during the first 3 months of 2008. Which was the most passengers every recorded in a yearly quarter. Up 11% on the previous year. ³

History

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Virgin Blue passengers disembarking at Launceston Airport

After the formation of the Tasmanian Aero Club in 1927, the building of the first air travel facility in Tasmania on the site, the Western Junction Aerodrome, began and was first used in 1930, with the aerodrome being officially opened in 1929.⁴ In 1962 a plan for major redevelopment of the airport was approved. This included strengthening of all pavements, a runway extension, and soon after a new terminal building.⁵ The site was officially reopened that same year as Launceston Airport. In October 1982 the runway was further upgraded to Boeing 767 standard. In 1998, the airport was privatized, now being owned by a group known as Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited, who is also the owner of Melbourne Airport, in conjunction with Launceston City Council. The collapse of Ansett Australia in 2001, the introduction of Virgin Blue and the Qantas subsidiary Jetstar Airways in 2001 & 2004, and the creation of the Australian Low Cost Airline market have all contributed to a dramatic increase in aircraft movements at Launceston Airport. In 2007 Launceston Airport celebrated the milestone of reaching one million passenger movements per year as well as the introduction of Tiger Airways Australia.⁶

Terminal building

Jetstar Airbus A320 taking off from Launceston Airport

The terminal building services the four interstate airlines: QantasLink, Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways Australia.

Presently the small terminal is inadequate for the amount of passengers that pass through each day. At times where there are 3-4 planes on the tarmac the terminal can become extremely congested.^{citation needed}

Terminal Upgrade

Terminal Level Plan for Redevelopment

A much needed $20 million dollar upgraded has just been started in June and is expected to be finished in mid 2009. ⁷

The project will consist of three main parts that will provide Checked Bag Screening and new check in counter areas, new baggage reclaim procedure, with the use of two baggage carousels and new passenger lounges and screening facilities. This will approximately double the floor area of the terminal allowing for greater space passenger movement and associated activities. The first of the three parts of the project, the check bag screening and check in counters will be operational by December 2008, as required by Federal legislation for passenger security. The other two areas will come on stream in stages over the remaining construction period.

The refurbishment of the departures area will allow a single location for all airlines to provide check in facilities at the 12 new counters. These counters are linked to a new baggage handling system to a new check bag screening process for all baggage travelling on aircraft.

A revised passenger screening point will increase the level of space provided to passengers during the screening process.

For departing passengers new apron level gate lounges of approximately 1200m2 provide space and security for passengers waiting to board aircraft. For arriving passengers, a new baggage handling building of 500m2 incorporating two new baggage carousels will improve baggage reclaim activities for passengers.

For attending public, an expansion of an additional 1000m2 of the main passenger public lounge area and refurbished retail areas, will provide additional space and seating areas with a view of the apron and runway.

New retail outlets will open on July 1, 2009. Food and Bar facilities will include Hudsons, Delaware North and a news and gift shop. ⁸

Ground transport

Launceston Airport has a Short Term and a Long Term Car Park, as well as an Overflow Carpark that can accommodate 150 Cars.

Airport Shuttle Buses operate mainly from the City Centre to the airport.

Launceston Airport Business Park

In a separate development adjacent to the airport site there is a A$200m business park under construction which will include a Caltex service station, an Airport Motor Inn, retail showrooms and also plans for a A$36m Big Box retail development.^{citation needed}

Passenger statistics

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. ⁹

Statistics for Launceston Airport 1011 12 13 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 1,098,000 17,100 2009-10 750,000-855,000 15,400-19,700 2014-15 810,000-965,000 16,100-22,500 2019-20 900,000-1,100,000 17,200-26,300 2024-25 975,000-1,250,000 17,700-29,000

Busiest Domestic Passenger Routes out of Launceston Airport (YE June 2008)14 Rank Airport Passengers handled  % Change 1 Melbourne Airport 821,100 ▲13.1 2 Sydney Airport 212,300 ▲5.1

Airlines and destinations

Virgin Blue currently has four flights from Melbourne and one from Sydney each day. Jetstar flies in three flights from Melbourne, one from Sydney and also one from Brisbane. Qantas Link flies in twice a day from Melbourne. Tiger Airways currently has only the one flight into Lauceston Airport each day, which is also from Melbourne. There is usually a total of 13 aircraft arriving and 13 departing each day. ¹⁵

Future Services

Tiger Airways announced on 29th August 2008 that it will add another Launceston to Melbourne service, starting on December 15. The additional flights will add over a quarter of a million additional low fare seats a year between Melbourne and Launceston. ¹⁷

Virgin Blue announced on Friday 12 September 2008 it will also operate a Launceston to Brisbane service from December 15, until April 4. Services may even extend if passenger numbers are high. It will become on the second airline after Jetstar Airways to fly direct between Launceston and Brisbane. ¹⁸

See also

• List of airports in Australia
• Transport in Australia

References

External links

• Launceston Airport