Airport developer pilots first plane into Wellcamp

WAGNERS chairman John Wagner will pilot the first plane to officially "touch down" at Australia’s newest and first privately built public airport tomorrow.

A 3D rendering of Wagners' vision for the completed Wellcamp Airport. Picture: Contributed

WAGNERS chairman John Wagner will pilot the first plane to officially "touch down" at Australia's newest and first  privately built public airport tomorrow.

Among the handful of passengers on Wellcamp Airport's first flight aboard the King Air will be Henry and Mary Wagner, the parents of the four Wagner brothers - John, Joe, Neill and Denis - developers of the multi-million-dollar airport and business park.

"We are very excited about the opportunities the airport will provide the local community and we are delighted at the support the project is receiving on a local and national level," says Mr Wagner.

Some of the Wagner family will be at Wellcamp airport to welcome "YBWW Flight 001".

Wagners chairman John Wagner. Picture: Bev Lacey

The flight will be an historical moment for the Wagner family, the Toowoomba region and the Australian aviation industry.

Onsite construction staff has been working around the clock to ensure the jet-passenger airport is on track to open towards the end of next year with the runaway scheduled for completion in April 2014.

The airport will open its gates to the public first the first time this weekend (Sunday November 24 between 9.30am and 4pm) for a community open day.

Aerial view of Wellcamp Airport's 90%-finished runway. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Visitors to the free open day are encouraged to make a donation to Angel Fight. It's hoped more than $10,000 will be raised at the event.

Some activities will include aerial and machinery displays, site bus tours, a jumping castle and face painting, joy flights and entertainment by country singers Amber Lawrence and Tania Kernaghan.

Originally published as Airport developer pilots first plane into Wellcamp