Coffs Harbour Airport
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| Coffs Harbour Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: CFS - ICAO: YSCH | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Coffs Harbour City Council | ||
| Serves | Coffs Harbour | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 18 ft (5 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 03/21 | 6,824 | 2,080 | Asphalt |
Coffs Harbour Airport: (IATA: CFS, ICAO: YSCH) is the only airport located on and serving the Regional Center of Coffs Harbour in Australia. The airport is located near Boambee, south of Coffs Harbour. The Coffs Harbour Regional Airport is one of the largest and busiest regional airports in New South Wales, handling regional, domestic and international types of aircraft. The airport is currently serviced by three carriers - Qantas, Virgin Blue and Brindabella Airlines, and has the capacity to handle aircraft up to the size of a 240-seat Boeing 767.
The airport currently handles over 30,000 aircraft movements, 5,000 of which are for passenger aircraft. The terminal handles approximately 260,000 passengers annually.
There are also numerous facilities for pilots to train and learn. For example, the Clarence Valley Aero Club (also known as the Coffs Aero Club) and other numerous training facilities for a career in aviation attract pilots from around the world to Coffs Harbour to train and fulfill their dream of aviation.
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[edit] Airport Facilities
The security car park has secure undercover parking. Its cost to park is about $12.00 per day, and is cheaper for extended periods. Free parking is provided for over 200 cars with construction about to begin on two new car parks which will add approximately 150 new spaces.
The Airport Terminal is complemented with a terminal Cafe that serves snacks, drink and also sells a wide variety of Items such as Magazines. There are numerous tables with seating for people to use while awaiting departure.
There are six car rental companies located at Coffs Harbour Airport.
[edit] History
In the early 1990s, Council gained full ownership of the airport, and it became clear that expansion would be necessary to meet the needs of the future, and to establish Coffs Harbour as a major regional center. This aim is set out in Council's Business Plan for the airport. In 1994 planning began to upgrade the airport terminal and runway at the price of $8 million. Stage one of the project was the widening of the main runway, and construction work started in May 1999.
[edit] Terminal Expansion
At the end of 1999 work started on the $4 million terminal expansion to overcome serious overcrowding at peak times and to meet the growing demand for the airport for at least the next 10 years. The new expanded terminal became operational in November 2000, and opened with a large celebration/airshow.
All of this work was completed without cost to state or federal governments, and without cost to the taxpayer. The airport is fully self-sufficient. Only those using the airport are paying for the facilities. Money for the upgrades is being repaid over the next 14 years through operating profits.
Throughout this, the airport experienced its first dose of international travel, to and from New Zealand. Although that route and destination is no longer flown, the airport, combined with Coffs Harbour's growing population, will mean more is to come for the airport.
[edit] Airlines
- Virgin Blue (Sydney, Melbourne)
- QantasLink (Sydney, Lord Howe Island)
- Brindabella Airlines (Brisbane, Port Maquarie)
- Sunshine Express closed down scheduled service. Brindabella Airlines will fill the gap between Port Maquarie and Brisbane from Coffs Harbour, flying the same aircraft as Sunshine Express did (the Metro III).
