Moree Airport

Moree Airport
IATA: MRZ – ICAO: YMOR
Summary
Airport type	Public
Operator	Moree Plains Shire Council
Location	Moree, New South Wales
Elevation AMSL	701 ft / 214 m
Coordinates	29°29′56″S 149°50′41″E / 29.49889°S 149.84472°E / -29.49889; 149.84472Coordinates: 29°29′56″S 149°50′41″E / 29.49889°S 149.84472°E / -29.49889; 149.84472
Website	www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au
Map
YMOR Location in New South Wales
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 01/19 1,613 5,292 Asphalt 05/23 977 3,205 Gravel
Statistics (2011-12[1])
Passengers 28,243 Aircraft movements 1,219
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[2] and Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics[1]

Moree Airport (IATA: MRZ, ICAO: YMOR) is an airport in Moree, New South Wales, Australia. The airport is 5 km (3.1 mi) from the city center. Brindabella Airlines previously operated 36 services per week between Moree and Sydney using British Aerospace Jetstream 41 turboprops, but then airline operations were taken over by QantasLink using its Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft, while the airport also provides general aviation facilities, maintenance and support for agricultural aviation in the local area.^[3] The Moree Aero Club has been based at the airport since 1952, and today provides aircraft hire and flight training. The club was instrumental in providing many early improvements to the aerodrome facilities, including hangars and a terminal building.^[4]

Airport facilities

Moree airport has two operational runways. The primary runway 01/19 is sealed with an asphalt surface 1,613 by 30 m (5,292 by 98 ft). This runway is equipped with pilot-operated lighting for night operations. A secondary gravel runway 05/23 is located on the western side of the field and is 977 by 18 m (3,205 by 59 ft).^[2] The airport does not have a control tower as the typical volume of traffic is not high. Pilots are required to communicate via a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to safely co-ordinate arrivals and departures. A Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) to the west of the airport is the only navigational aid.^[2]

The small passenger terminal and apron are located on the eastern side of the airport, with road access off the Newell Highway. The terminal includes check in desks and a baggage claim area, public telephones, a taxi rank and a counter for AVIS hire car services. Limited ticket sales are available. A single public car park is provided for the passenger terminal, aero club and general aviation facilities. On the western side of the airport is an area primarily used to support agricultural crop spraying and other associated airwork.

Fixed-base operator Austrek Aviation provide ground handling and refuelling services in support of general aviation and agricultural operations.^[5] The Moree Aero Club provides aircraft hire and flight training for both recreational and general aviation categories, as well as hosting occasional airshow and fly-in events.

Unlike other towns in New South Wales, Moree Airport is built on the highest piece of land and is not subject to any flooding including the roads leading into it.

Airlines and destinations

Before 30 March 2013, Moree had been served by up to 20 weekly QantasLink flights to Sydney, using Bombardier Dash 8 turboprop airliners. Controversially, this ended with the awarding of the license to operate the route to Brindabella on behalf of Transport New South Wales following a tender process. The Moree-Sydney route is one of 14 regulated by the State Government.^[6] The move was met by considerable opposition within the Moree community, with concerns being raised about a lack of consultation, reduced baggage allowance, loss of frequent flyer program benefits as well as smaller aircraft operating the route and less operational flexibility in the event of delays or cancellations.^[7] Prior to 27 January 2012, Brindabella Airlines operated weekday services to Brisbane, but these flights ceased after the company reviewed services to the region following a merger with Aeropelican,^[8] a move which damaged the airline's reputation in the local community. However, under the contract, the number of weekly flights will increase to 36, offering more flexible travel times and a five-year guarantee on the service under the terms of the license. However, in December 2013, Brindabella Airlines was put into receivership and ceased operations due to its fleet being grounded by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) because of overdue maintenance which meant that the license has since returned to QantasLink.

Incidents and accidents

On the evening of 30 March 2011, a privately operated Piper PA-32R (Saratoga) struck trees and crashed approximately 550 m (1,800 ft) short of the threshold on approach to runway 19. Of the pilot and five passengers aboard, four were fatally injured. Three members of the same well known family who ran local farming, hardware and petroleum businesses were killed. The pilot was also a well respected local businessman.^[11] After returning from a day inspecting properties at Brewarrina, NSW the approach was made after dusk. The aircraft flew too low, struck treetops on the fenceline of a nearby caravan park, and came to rest upside down in an adjacent field. The plane was found to be overloaded, and the pilot's lack of recent night flying experience were contributing factors.^[12]

On 11 April 2012, an Ayres Thrush S2R-G10 crop dusting aircraft impacted terrain about 36 km (22 mi) northwest of the airport, killing the pilot who was the only occupant. The aircraft was on a ferry flight from St George, Queensland en route to Moree Airport.^[13]

See also

• List of airports in New South Wales

References

External links

• Airport Guide