Launceston Airport

Infobox Airport
name = Launceston Airport
nativename =
nativename-a =
nativename-r =


image-width = 175
caption =
IATA = LST
ICAO = YMLT
type = Public
owner = Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited
operator = Australia Pacific Airports (Launceston) Pty Ltd
city-served = Launceston
location = Western Junction
elevation-f = 562
elevation-m = 171
coordinates = coord|41|32|42|S|147|12|54|E|type:airport
website = [http://www.launcestonairport.com.au www.launcestonairport.com.au]
metric-rwy = Yes
r1-number = 14R/32L
r1-length-f = 6,499
r1-length-m = 1,981
r1-surface = Asphalt
r2-number = 14L/32R
r2-length-f = 2,297
r2-length-m = 700
r2-surface = Grass
r3-number = 18/36
r3-length-f = 2,264
r3-length-m = 690
r3-surface = Grass
footnotes = Source: Australian AIP [ [http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/publications/current/ersa/FAC_YMLT_13-Mar-2008.pdf Airservices Australia] ]

Launceston Airport airport codes|LST|YMLT is a regional airport on the outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania. Situated in the rural area of Western Junction, the airport is located convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on from the Launceston City Centre. Hobart International Airport and Launceston Airport are the only two airports in Tasmania to reach one million passenger movements per year. And like its Hobart counterpart Launceston is a curfew free airport. In the 2007/2008 Financial Year, Launceston Airport recorded a record 1.1 million passengers. Up 10% on the previous year. During the first three months of 2008, 309,000 passengers passed through Launceston Airport, the most in any previous yearly quarter. Up 11% on the previous year. [ [http://www.launcestonairport.com.au/asp/content.asp?articleID=529&id=154 Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases ] ]

History

After the formation of the Tasmanian Aero Club in 1927, the building of the first air travel facility in Tasmania on the site, the "Western Junction Aerodrome", began and was first used in 1930, with the aerodrome being officially opened in 1929. [ [http://www.elaunceston.com/launcestonhistory/jun07news.htm Launceston Historical Society Inc] ] In 1962 a plan for major redevelopment of the airport was approved. This included strengthening of all pavements, a runway extension, and soon after a new terminal building. [ [http://www.launcestonairport.com.au/subsector.php?id=107997 A Brief History of Aviation in Tasmania and the Launceston Airport] ] The site was officially reopened that same year as "Launceston Airport". In October 1982 the runway was further upgraded to Boeing 767 standard. In 1998, the airport was privatized, now being owned by a group known as Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited, who is also the owner of Melbourne Airport, in conjunction with Launceston City Council. The collapse of Ansett Australia in 2001, the introduction of Virgin Blue and the Qantas subsidiary Jetstar Airways in 2001 & 2004, and the creation of the Australian Low Cost Airline market have all contributed to a dramatic increase in aircraft movements at Launceston Airport. In 2007 Launceston Airport celebrated the milestone of reaching one million passenger movements per year as well as the introduction of Tiger Airways Australia. [ [http://www.jetstar.com/pdf/news/20071009.pdf Jetstar congratulates Launceston Airport on one million passenger milestone] ]

Terminal building

The terminal building services the four interstate airlines: QantasLink, Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways Australia.

Presently the small terminal is inadequate for the amount of passengers that pass through each day. At times where there are 3-4 planes on the tarmac the terminal can become extremely congested. Fact|date=September 2008

Terminal Upgrade

A much needed $20 million dollar upgraded has just been started in June and is expected to be finished in mid 2009. [ [http://www.launcestonairport.com.au/asp/content.asp?articleID=529&id=157 Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases ] ]

The project will consist of three main parts that will provide Checked Bag Screening and new check in counter areas, new baggage reclaim procedure, with the use of two baggage carousels and new passenger lounges and screening facilities. This will approximately double the floor area of the terminal allowing for greater space passenger movement and associated activities. The first of the three parts of the project, the check bag screening and check in counters will be operational by December 2008, as required by Federal legislation for passenger security. The other two areas will come on stream in stages over the remaining construction period.

The refurbishment of the departures area will allow a single location for all airlines to provide check in facilities at the 12 new counters. These counters are linked to a new baggage handling system to a new check bag screening process for all baggage travelling on aircraft.

A revised passenger screening point will increase the level of space provided to passengers during the screening process.

For departing passengers new apron level gate lounges of approximately 1200m2 provide space and security for passengers waiting to board aircrafts. For arriving passengers, a new baggage handling building of 500m2 incorporating two new baggage carousels will improve baggage reclaim activities for passengers.

For attending public, an expansion of an additional 1000m2 of the main passenger public lounge area and refurbished retail areas, will provide additional space and seating areas with a view of the apron and runway. [ [http://www.launcestonairport.com.au/asp/content.asp?articleID=549 Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases]

Ground transport

Launceston Airport has a Short Term and a Long Term Car Park, as well as an Overflow Carpark that can accommodate 150 Cars.

Airport Shuttle Buses operate mainly from the City Centre to the airport.

Launceston Airport Business Park

In a separate development adjacent to the airport site there is a A$200m business park under construction which will include a Caltex service station, an Airport Motor Inn, retail showrooms and also plans for a A$36m Big Box retail development.Fact|date=September 2008

Passenger statistics

Launceston Airport's passenger numbers have increased dramatically in recent years, significantly exceeding the airports forecasts in the "Airport Master Plan 2005". The passenger numbers achieved in the 2007-08 fiscal year were not anticipated until at least fiscal year 2019-20. [http://www.launcestonairport.com.au/bloogoocms/uploads/files/Master%20Plan/2005%20Master%20Plan.pdf]

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Future Services

Tiger Airways announced on 29th August 2008 that it will add another Launceston to Melbourne service, starting on December 15. The additional flights will add over a quarter of a million additional low fare seats a year between Melbourne and Launceston. [ [http://northerntasmania.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/economy-business-it-finance/tiger-airways-doubles-tassie-flights/1257943.aspx Launceston Airport, Tasmania, Australia - Media Releases]

Virgin Blue announced on Friday 12 September 2008 it will also operate a Launceston to Brisbane service from December 15, until April 4. Services may even extend if passenger numbers are high. It will become on the second airline after Jetstar Airways to fly direct between Launceston and Brisbane. Internet fares will start at $139 one way. [ [http://www.virginblue.com.au/AboutUs/Media/NewsandPressReleases/P_005535.htm]

ee also

*List of airports in Australia
*Transport in Australia

References

External links

* [http://www.launcestonairport.com.au Launceston Airport]