PICTURE TIMELINE: Townsville Airport celebrates 20 years with Queensland Airports Limited
It’s been a crazy 20 years for Townsville Airport, with passenger numbers growing 45 per cent and $118m in upgrades delivered. We look back on what’s happened – and meet the new GM.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s been a crazy 20 years for Townsville Airport, with passenger numbers growing 45 per cent and $118m in upgrades completed.
Our little airport was acquired by its current owners, QAL (Queensland Airports Limited) on March 15, 2005 – a time when fire engines made ceremonial water archways for planes carrying the Cowboys squad, and the 2004 mining boom was making FIFO a household word.
Both Townsville and the airport have seen a lot of growth since then, see the picture timeline down below.
Meet the new GM
A man who knows exactly how intense the growth has been is the airport’s new general manager, Arron McLean.
“I arrived in Townsville 20 years ago when I was posted here by the army. I was 19-years-old,” Mr McLean said.
“I did a stint at Lavarack Barracks, then mining, rail, and finally I ended up at the airport.”
Mr McLean started a the airport as a maintenance co-ordinator in 2016 – right when progress entered super-speed for the business with renovations, international flights, new escalators, new security machines, and more.
“Our long-term plan for this airport is to expand to the north,” Mr McLean said.
“But in the immediate term we are looking to be more effective with the space we have.”
This includes swapping out the black waiting area chairs with new-age chairs with built-in charging ports.
The carpark is also scheduled for its own upgrade as the airport looks to add 300 extra parking spaces.
And we can’t forget the 20 year masterplan the airport released last year which discussed a return to international flights, new gates, and more.
Mr McLean says while QAL is continuing to champion international flights and “sell Townsville” as hard as they can, ultimately flight routes are up to the airlines.
“What we have seen is increased capacity, recently Jetstar ‘upgraded’ their Townsville – Melbourne route from an A320 to an A321 plane which means 4,500 more seats over a year,” he said.
“We‘re seeing other airlines also doing this upgauging, especially as Virgin prepares to swap from F100s to 737s.”
Another big wishlist item for the airport going forward? Buses.
Mr McLean said the airport was working hard to get a public bus connection.
“We want high-frequency buses that can connect us to a bus hub,” he said.
“Perhaps somewhere like Ogden St.”
New majority shareholders at QAL
Townsville Airport – originally known as Garbutt Airport – was first owned by the Federal Government.
It was privatised as part of the John Howard Government’s ‘airport privatisation program’ and both it and Mount Isa Airport were sold to ‘Australian Airports’ for $16.9m in 1998.
QAL acquired the two NQ airports off Australian Airports in 2005, purchasing a 100 per cent stake.
Fast forward to April 2025, when a 75 per cent stake in Queensland Airports Limited was sold to private equity firm KKR and Skip Capital.
QAL said the change in their ownership group represented an “exciting new chapter” and meant the Townsville, Gold Coast, Mount Isa and Longreach airports could continue growing.
KKR and Skip Capital replaced outgoing shareholders Australian Retirement Trust, State Super, and The Infrastructure Fund.
TIMELINE:
More Coverage
Originally published as PICTURE TIMELINE: Townsville Airport celebrates 20 years with Queensland Airports Limited
Revealed: Qld’s next-gen tourism innovators
From eco-adventures to digital-first experiences, meet the Qld tourism trailblazers who are shaping the future of travel.
120+ PHOTOS: Little Athletics Carnival
From shot put to hurdles and discus, the young champions of Queensland showed up in Townsville to compete in this year’s Winter Carnival. See all the action in our massive gallery.
In pictures: high tea fundraiser
The Women’s Society brought women together in a beautiful show of support, community, and compassion for those in need.
Why North Qlders are turning to telehealth
Right now, you can go online and be talking to a doctor in under 30 minutes – all without getting out of your chair. Telehealth has changed the game, and North Queenslanders are big fans.
Barbara Hannay: High school teacher to award winning author
Barbara Hannay’s inspiring journey from Townsville high school teacher to acclaimed author showcases perseverance, passion, and the power of family support
In pictures: Mercedes Benz Townsville Ardo fundraiser for the CURE
The Mercedes Benz Townsville Ardo winemaker Luncheon for the CURE with Shaw + Smith wines on Saturday was hosted by The Cure Starts Now Australia and raised money for research and trials into childhood brain cancer.