Rockhampton Airport

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Rockhampton Airport
IATA: ROK - ICAO: YBRK
Summary
Airport type		Public
Operator		Rockhampton City Council
Serves		Rockhampton, Queensland
Elevation AMSL		34 ft (10 m)
Coordinates		23° 22' 54" S 150° 28' 30" E
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
04/22	5,397	1,645	Paved
15/33	8,622	2,628	Paved

Rockhampton Airport (Connor Park) (IATA: ROK, ICAO: YBRK) is a major Australian regional airport that services the cities of Brisbane, Sydney, Gladstone and Mackay, Queensland.

In 2002, the main runway at Rockhampton (15/33) was extended and the surface upgraded, resulting in the ability to accommodate unrestricted wide-bodied operations. The Airport is now used by both domestic and international airlines using a mix of wide-bodied aircraft including the B747 to B777 and A340 types. It is expected that facilities will be expanded to accommodate a new customs quarantine section for future international flights.

In recent years, Rockhampton Airport has been used as the base of operations for a number of Air Forces involved in exercises at Shoalwater Bay. In 2006, Antonov An-124's operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines flew in and out of Rockhampton multiple times carrying helicopters and other military equipment for use in these exercises.

1 History
2 Airlines & Destinations
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History

Rockhampton Airport, seen from a plane ready to depart, in July 2005.

Efforts to locate a permanent aerodrome site in the city had been proceeding for a number of years in the 1920's. The City Council and the Federal Government, however, could not come to an arrangement as to a suitable site. Prior to 1930, a number of locations within the city had been used for the operation of aircraft, all on a non official basis and none suitable for long term use.

In 1929, the lease to a former racecourse, Connor Park, was acquired by a number of aspiring aviators, and they set about making it suitable for aircraft. The Rockhampton Aero Club was formed on February 9, 1930, and announced that flying training would commence at the location. The aerodrome was officially opened as Connor Park Aerodrome on March 2, 1930. A few weeks later, the aerodrome was again officially opened as Rockhampton Aerodrome, and the first passenger aircraft, a Fokker monoplane, Star of Cairns, landed.

During World War II, facilities at the airport were substantially upgraded. The Commonwealth took over control of the airport, and the Royal Australian Air Force moved in. An Aeradio station was established to enable air ground communication, a facility that survived as a Flight Service Unit until 1992. Control Tower facilities were also established. At one stage, work was commenced to allow rapid demolition of the runways if required. In 1987 during upgrade work, the demolition tunnels were located and removed. In February 1989, the Rockhampton City Council was vested with ownership of the airport.

The terminal is currently undergoing renovations, with some of the major outcomes being the removel of the old viewing deck and relocation of the airport offices and check-in counters.

[edit] Airlines & Destinations

Virgin Blue (Brisbane, Sydney)
Qantas
- QantasLink (Brisbane, Mackay, Gladstone)
- Jetstar Airways (Brisbane)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Roger R Marks (1994). Queensland Airfields WW2 - 50 Years On. R & J Marks. ISBN 0-646-12769-1.
Lorna McDonald (1995). Rockhampton, A History of City and District. Rockhampton City Council. ISBN 0-9599897-3-0.