Cairns Airport: Richard Barker says facility is ready for busy Christmas

The Cairns Airport is readying itself for a festive onslaught as the Far North prepares to welcome back visitors from around the country.

Mark Murray

@markcmuzza

2 min read

November 29, 2021 - 5:00AM

The Cairns Post

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CAIRNS Airport boss Richard Barker believes the airport is well prepared for any Covid curve balls thrown its way as the Far North prepares to welcome back visitors from around the country.

With the December 17 border reopening date inching closer, Mr Barker said the domestic terminal had been finetuning systems and processes throughout the pandemic and was ready to handle a busy Christmas travel period.

The airport became the first in Australia to apply for Airports Council International (ACI) health accreditation last year.

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“Our protocols haven’t changed,” he said.

“Our systems and processes and those of the relevant government agencies have been in place, and will remain in place as the borders continue to open up.

“That (ACI) accreditation should assure all passengers travelling through Cairns Airport over the coming weeks of our continued commitment to prioritising the health and safety of all passengers travelling through our terminal.”

It comes as the state remained on track to hit its 80 per cent fully vaccinated target early.

Queensland Premier Anastacia Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stopped short of announcing an earlier reopening date, but was encouraged by the sharp uptake across the state.

More than 84 per cent of eligible Queenslanders have now received their first dose and 73.42 per cent are fully vaccinated.

In Cairns, 85.9 per cent had received the first jab with 73.3 per cent fully vaccinated.

The Douglas Shire holds the next highest vaccination rate in the Far North with 83.6 per cent administered first dose and 71.7 per cent fully inoculated.

The Cassowary Coast, Mareeba, Tablelands and Yarrabah local government areas all sit below 70 per cent vaccination rate.

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Mr Barker said Far Northerners planning interstate trips over the Christmas period should plan for a busier than expected airport.

“We do recommend every Christmas holiday period that people come to the airport early, so that they can check-in and relax before flying,” he said.

“Some of our third-party retail and ramp handling providers have had to employ staff as Christmas time is recognised as one of the busiest times of the year for the airport.”

He said all government vaccination mandates had been passed on to employees within the airport, including retail and restaurants.

“All mandates are being followed by our retail partners,” he said.

“Our vaccination clinic here at the airport was a great opportunity for employees, airport workers and the travelling public to get vaccinated.”

BY THE NUMBERS

CAIRNS

Population (15 and over): 133,038

Received dose one: 85.9

Received dose two: 73.3

CASSOWARY COAST

Population (15 and over): 24,343

Dose one: 83

Dose two: 68.1