Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester says Hobart Airport’s runway extension project is on track to be finished by March 2018.
Hobart Airport’s master plan, which was approved December 2015, features lengthening Runway 12/30 by 500m to 2,751m, with a 150m extension at the northern end and 350m at the southern end.
Chester said on Friday the building of the extra 150m northern end has been completed, with work set to begin on the final stage of the redevelopment at the southern end. This was due to be completed by March 2018.
“This will allow the airport to support larger passenger and freight aircraft, increasing the ability of the airport to meet the needs of the Asian market and beyond,” Chester said in a statement on Friday.
The federal government is contributing $38 million to the project, with Hobart Airport contributing $2 million.
Construction of the runway extension also involves the relocation of navaids, the construction of jet blast walls, and the extension of the airport’s HIAL (high intensity aviation lighting). There are also some associated road works.
Hobart Airport chief executive Rod Parry, who is stepping down in July, said the redevelopment would support the Tasmanian economy.
Christopher
says:Surprised that no taxiway is being included as part of this expansion. Seems odd.
Rod Shephard
says:Not before time….
Really opens up other markets, especially for the freight sector-well done to all concerned…
A massive boost for the Tassie economy!
Ben
says:Great news for HBA. Build it and they will come. Who knows – maybe regular services to SIN and/or HKG. The A330, A350 or 787 would seem like the most likely aircraft. Now all HBA needs is a new multi storey terminal with aerobridges, to bring it up to the standard of all other Australian capital city airports.
Geoff
says:Excellent progress for Hobart. New opportunities will surely ensue. Tasmanian tourism is largely untapped and the Asian market especially is ripe for expansion.
This had to happen and to be fair the sweetener offered by a previous Govt was a good move.
Nicholas
says:Hmm,
Don’t get too excited plse.
Hobart has had spasmodic international services in the past but couldn’t sustain any of them.
Melbournes an hour away remember, no obvious outbound or inbound market begging for flights either.
Richard
says:HBA needs nonstop flights to New Zealand again, 1st & these will be operated by B737’s or A320’s which can fly the Tasman ex HBA now.
Peter
says:Either NAC or ANZ operated B737-200’s between Hobart and Christchurch many years ago.
Zarg
says:Also surprised that no parallel taxiway is included. Back in my trainee ATC days in 1973, this was always a problem with backtracks etc. Not the way for a modern airport in 21st Century to operate!
Ben
says:@Zarg. Yes I agree, a full length parallel taxiway would surely be a logical step to construct in tandem with a runway extension. Couple both of these with a multi level aerobridged terminal and you’d have a world class airport that would encourage new services and be great for the Tassie economy. Come to think of it why not extend the runway beyond 3000 metres. Then you’d have the potential for unrestricted ultra long haul flights. (LAX, DXB/DOH/AUH) If they did a decent job of it and made it A380 capable, it probably wouldn’t be too long before EK launched direct services to DXB. (OK the A380 might be wishful thinking at this stage, but they could start with the 77W and see what the demand is like) As I said in my earlier post – build it and they will come. As good as this news is for HBA I doubt we’ll see an additional runway extension, full parallel taxiway or new terminal/aerobridges any time soon however.
Ian Deans
says:Cannot believe that in this day and age HBA still has no full-length taxiway. Why hasn’t this been incorporated in the runway extension project?
Oh…of course…. this is Australia….we never do things properly in the first place, then we have to revisit them later…..AT MUCH GREATER COST.