Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport
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| Whitsunday Coast Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: PPP - ICAO: YBPN | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Whitsunday Shire Council | ||
| Serves | Proserpine, Queensland | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 82 ft (25 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 11/29 | 6801 | 2073 | Asphalt |
| 06/24 | 3608.92 | 1100 | Unmarked Asphalt |
Whitsunday Coast Airport (IATA: PPP, ICAO: YBPN) is located approximately 10 km south of Proserpine, Queensland, Australia. Major airlines refer to the airport as Whitsunday Coast which often causes confusion as it is not situated close to the coast. Today, the airport's main function is to provide transportation to the tourists who visit the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands and the towns of Proserpine and Bowen.
Contents |
[edit] History
Plans to build an airfield in Proserpine commenced in 1936, however construction was delayed due to a lack of funding. Construction of the airport finally began in 1946.
Saturday, November 3rd 1951 saw the arrival of the first passenger service to Proserpine. It was a flight from Brisbane in a DC3 aircraft, the only aircraft that could land on the then unsealed strip.
Proserpine was previously Class D controlled airspace, however when the air traffic control tower was demolished due to financial cutbacks it was forced to become class G (uncontrolled MBZ on frequency 126.7)
In past years there has been upheaval about the status of the airport as nearby airport Laguna Quays submitted proposals to turn from a domestic terminal to an international terminal, thus causing the council to contemplate the sale of the airport to prevent financial loss.[citation needed] The public strongly protested the considered sale of the airport in 2004 by holding rallies in the main street of Proserpine. The issue went to court and Laguna Quays lost.[citation needed]
In response to the rising cost of oil, Jetstar and Virgin Blue will both be axing its Sydney-Whitsunday Coast services. The only services that remain will be Brisbane-Whitsunday Coast operated by both airlines.
[edit] Airlines and destinations
- Qantas
- Jetstar Airways (Brisbane, Sydney [ends July 22 [1]])
- Virgin Blue (Brisbane, Sydney [ends July [2]])
