Norfolk Island Airport

Norfolk Island Airport, also referred to as Norfolk Island International Airport (Norfuk Ailen Aeyaport), is the only airport on Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia. The island is located in the Pacific Ocean between Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. The airport is operated by the Norfolk Island Regional Council, and is on the west side of the island.

History
In August 1942, the United States Army Air Forces requested that the Australian government construct an aerodrome on Norfolk Island for use by its heavy bombers. It was built by the Civil Constructional Corps, comprising volunteers from New South Wales government departments. The corps was assisted by island residents, with about 300 men employed in total. The first runway was completed in late 1942, with a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) plane landing on Christmas Day. The second runway was opened in February 1943, and the workers left the following month.

The construction of the runways necessitated the destruction of Pine Avenue, a local landmark consisting of about 500 Norfolk Island pines reaching up to 170 ft in height. As Norfolk Island did not have enough flat ground, in 1942 several bulldozers were used to knock the tops off several hills, and fill in the valleys between them. Steel mesh was then used to make a solid surface.

The airfield was never used as an operational base, but "was available to the Allies for use as a staging depot, a refuge for aircraft in distress, and a possible base for anti-submarine patrols". An RNZAF Radar Unit operated on the island as a navigational aid, and it became a stopover for aircraft travelling between Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands. The RNZAF left the airfield in July 1946. At the airfield was an air-sea rescue unit, a servicing section and a radar unit installation at Mount Bates.

Light aircraft transit
Norfolk Island is an important transit and refueling point for light aircraft flying between Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Located 852 km southeast of Norfolk is Kaitaia Airport the most northerly airfield in New Zealand, 754 km north is Nouméa Airport in New Caledonia, and 900 km west is Lord Howe Island Airport which is 600 km to the Australian mainland.

These distances are within the range of many light aircraft when fitted with long range tanks, while the direct distance without using Norfolk Island as a stepping stone, is usually beyond their capabilities.

From New Caledonia other Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu and Fiji are within range and can be used as further 'stepping stones' to the other South Pacific and North Pacific destinations.

Facilities
The airport is at an elevation of 371 ft above sea level. It has two asphalt paved runways: 11/29 measuring 1950 x and 04/22 measuring 1435 x. The airport is staffed by a single air traffic controller.

The airport has a small passenger terminal building which includes waiting areas as well as processing areas for check in (4 counters), security, emigration control, customs control (Norfolk Customs), baggage reclaim and immigration control (Norfolk Immigration Office). A small cafe (Airport Cafe) is open prior to departing flights.

A small cargo terminal building is located next to passenger terminal.

Airport power is provided by the onsite Norfolk Airport Diesel Power Station.

A small carpark is located at the front entrance of the terminal.

The airport can handle small general aviation aircraft up to a jetliner such as the narrow-body Airbus A320.

Rescue and fire services
Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Service of the Norfolk Island Fire Service provides firefighting service for the airport.

The airport fire and rescue has two airport fire tenders. Two new Rosenbauer Panther ARFF replaced two 1960s era Thornycroft Nubian Mk 1 6x6 airport tenders in 2009. A new fire station is being built to replace the current building to house the new fire engines.

Transportation
The airport is connected to the rest of the island by Douglas Drive.

Transportation to and from the airport can be made by taxi, private car hires or local hotel shuttles.

Statistics
Norfolk Island Airport was ranked 56th in Australia for the number of revenue passengers served in financial year 2010–2011.