Hamilton Island air traffic control tower closed after equipment room fire

A Whitsunday island airport has closed its control tower following a fire. What this means for flights in and out.

The airspace above Hamilton Island will be uncontrolled for at least two months after a fire damaged part of the airport. Picture: File

Hamilton Island’s air traffic control tower will be out of action for several months following a fire in an equipment room.

An Airservices Australia spokesman confirmed the fire broke out on Saturday, August 14, and the tower remained closed for cleaning and investigation.

Hamilton Island airport has closed its air traffic control tower. Picture: File

The spokesman said flights to and from the island were not affected at the time, but there would be “some limitations on low visibility and night time aircraft departure and landing” while the tower remained closed and the air space reverted to Class G or ‘uncontrolled’.

The closure is expected to last “at least” two months, the spokesman said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Hamilton Island Enterprises declined to comment.

Originally published as Hamilton Island air traffic control tower closed after equipment room fire