Hobart Airport builds case to welcome world’s biggest planes
Hobart Airport is building a case to strengthen its runway to help attract direct flights from Asia and become an international freight hub. DETAILS >>
Tasmania
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HOBART Airport is the state’s most strategically important piece of infrastructure, according to a new report underlining the case for runway upgrades
As the state’s busiest gateway prepares for a surge in interstate travel once borders reopen on December 15, CEO Norris Carter said there was huge potential in further expansion.
The airport has commissioned an analysis on further upgrades to strengthen runway facilities to attract larger aircraft from Asian destinations and to allow greater freight and defence use.
“The KPMG report shows that Hobart Airport is the key to building Tasmania’s future and connecting communities,” Mr Carter said.
“By investing in the next phase of upgrades, we have the chance to create nearly 1300 jobs around Tasmania and create an additional $122m in economic activity each year.”
A series of upgrades to the airport are already underway, Mr Carter said.
But capacity at the airport is currently limited because it cannot accept the largest “Code E” wide body jets.
“The Hobart Airport runway is probably the most important stretch of road in Tasmania,” Mr Carter said.
“In recent years we’ve lengthened the runway, which has been very successful.
“We can now accommodate some of the biggest aircraft in Australia – for example the Cathay Pacific freight flight to Hong Kong that started this week.
“We’ve lengthened the runway, now we need to strengthen the runway.
“That will enable the biggest commercial aircraft in the world to take off at Hobart Airport fully fuelled and fully laden.
“By doing that, we can turn Hobart Airport into an international freight hub for Tasmania’s premium produce, further cement Hobart’s spot as the Antarctic Gateway, provide the capacity to host expanded defence capabilities, in line with the government’s focus on the Southern Ocean and, of course, open Hobart up to more passenger flights.
“The strategic investments we make now have the capacity to pay massive dividends by helping build Tasmania’s future and, importantly, connect communities.”
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