Rockhampton Airport

Infobox Airport
name = Rockhampton Airport


image-width = 230
caption =
IATA = ROK
ICAO = YBRK
type = Public
owner = Rockhampton Regional Council
operator = Rockhampton Regional Council
city-served = Rockhampton, Queensland
location = Rockhampton, Queensland
elevation-f = 34
elevation-m = 10
coordinates = coord|23|22|54|S|150|28|30|E|type:airport|display=inline,title
website = [http://www.rockhampton.qld.gov.au/airport/ Rockhampton Airport]
metric-elev = no
metric-rwy = yes
r1-number = 04/22
r1-length-f = 5,397
r1-length-m = 1,645
r1-surface = Paved
r2-number = 15/33
r2-length-f = 8,622
r2-length-m = 2,628
r2-surface = Paved
stat-year = FY 2007-08
stat1-header = Domestic passengers
stat1-data = 710,000
stat2-header = International passengers
stat2-data = 6,000
footnotes = Airport data from World Aero Data [cite web|url=http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=AS42456&sch=YBRK|title=World Aero Data: ROCKHAMPTON -- YBRK|publisher=Avigation Networks, Inc|accessdate=2008-01-19]
About Rockhampton Airport [cite web|url=http://www.rockhampton.qld.gov.au/airport/article_all_view.aspx?cat=49|title=About Rockhampton Airport|publisher=City of Rockhampton|accessdate=2008-01-20]

Rockhampton Airport ("Connor Park") Airport codes|ROK|YBRK is a major Australian regional airport that services the cities of Brisbane, Sydney, Gladstone, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay, Queensland, and Melbourne.

In the 2006-07 financial year, Rockhampton Airport had 650,000 domestic and approximately 6,000 international passengers travel through the terminal. In 2008-09 it is expected that 700,000 domestic passengers will use the airport.cite web|url=http://www.rockhampton.qld.gov.au/airport/showarticle.aspx?id=13486|title=Our airport is best in Australia and now its official!|publisher=City of Rockhampton|accessdate=2008-01-17] In 2007, Rockhampton Airport handled 41,232 aircraft operations [cite web|url=http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/reports/movements/calytd2007.pdf|title=Movements at Australian Airports Calendar Year 2007|publisher=Airservices Australia|accessdate=2008-06-24] .

History

Efforts to locate a permanent aerodrome site in the city had been proceeding for a number of years in the 1920s. The City Council and the Federal Government, however, could not come to an arrangement as to a suitable site. Prior to 1930, a number of locations within the city had been used for the operation of aircraft, all on a non official basis and none suitable for long term use.

In 1929, the lease to a former racecourse, Connor Park, was acquired by a number of aspiring aviators, and they set about making it suitable for aircraft. The Rockhampton Aero Club was formed on 9 February 1930 [cite web|url=http://www.rockhamptonaeroclub.org.au/History/history.html|title=Rockhampton Aero Club history|publisher=Rockhampton Aero Club|accessdate=2008-04-26] , and announced that flying training would commence at the location. The aerodrome was officially opened as Connor Park Aerodrome on 2 March 1930. A few weeks later, the aerodrome was again officially opened as Rockhampton Aerodrome, and the first passenger aircraft, a Fokker monoplane, "Star of Cairns", landed.

During World War II, facilities at the airport were substantially upgraded. The Commonwealth took over control of the airport, and the Royal Australian Air Force moved in. An Aeradio station was established to enable air ground communication, a facility that survived as a Flight Service Unit until 1992. Control Tower facilities were also established. At one stage, work was commenced to allow rapid demolition of the runways if required. In 1987 during upgrade work, the demolition tunnels were located and filled in. In February 1989, the Rockhampton City Council was vested with ownership of the airport.

Past and future redevelopments

In 2008, Rockhampton Airport completed an AUD $8.4 million terminal redevelopment. Changes made during the renovation included the removal of the old viewing deck, a new security screening point and departure lounge, a new cafe/restaurant, the relocation of the airport offices, check-in counters, and baggage carousel and a customs screening point for international flights.

During 2008 new changes that will be occurring at the airport include the installation of new air-conditioners and lighting, a second security screening point, a larger departures lounge and 280 new seats. [cite web|url=http://www.rockhampton.qld.gov.au/airport/showarticle.aspx?id=13728|title=Rest for weary feet! New seating installed.|publisher=City of Rockhampton|accessdate=2008-01-17] Airport Management will also be releasing an Expression of Interest with the aim of adding more retail outlets to the airport. [cite web|url=http://www.rockhampton.qld.gov.au/airport/showarticle.aspx?id=13613|title=Retail Opportunities|publisher=City of Rockhampton|accessdate=2008-01-17]

Airline services

Transport

The terminal is also serviced by bus and taxi, with regular connections to Rockhampton City and the Capricorn Coast provided by Youngs Bus Service and other local operators.

Awards

The Rockhampton Airport has been named the 2007 Australian Major Airport of the Year at the prestigious National Awards in recognition of Excellence in Australian Aviation, in Melbourne on 13 November 2007.

See also

* List of airports in Australia
* Rockhampton

References

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External links

* [http://www.airports-worldwide.com/australia/australia_rockhampton_airport.html Rockhampton Airport at Airports-Worldwide.com]