Hobart Airport
Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox airport
Hobart Airport Template:Airport codes is an airport located in Cambridge, Template:Convert north-east of the Hobart central business district. It is the principal airport of Tasmania.<ref name=BITRE2012>Air passenger movements through capital and non-capital city airports to 2030–31 Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics 2012</ref>
The federal government owned airport is operated by the Tasmanian Gateway Consortium under a 99-year lease.<ref name="sale">Hobart Airport sold ABC News 13 December 2007</ref><ref name=Masterplan2009>2009 Hobart Airport Master Plan Hobart Airport</ref>
The airport maintains a conjoined international and domestic terminal. The major airlines servicing the airport are Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia operating domestic flights predominantly to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.<ref name=BITRE2012/> International flights to Auckland, New Zealand, operate two to three times weekly with Air New Zealand.
Due to the airport's southern location, Skytraders operates regular flights to Antarctica on behalf of the Australian Antarctic Division using an Airbus A319.<ref name=Masterplan2009/><ref>Garrett launches flights to Antarctic The Australian 11 January 2008</ref>
Hobart International Airport was opened in 1956 and privatised in 1988.<ref>Our History Hobart Airport</ref> Occupying approximately Template:Convert of land,<ref name=Masterplan2009/> the airport is situated on a narrow peninsula. Take-offs and landings are inevitably directed over bodies of water regardless of approach or departure direction. The region immediately surrounding the airport remains largely unpopulated, which enables the airport to operate curfew-free services.<ref name=Masterplan2009/>
In the 2018–19 financial year, the airport handled 2.6 million passenger movements, making it the ninth busiest airport in Australia.<ref name=BITRE2012/>
History
Prior to the existence of the airport, the region was served by Cambridge Airport,<ref name=Masterplan2009/> a small airport located close to the existing site. As air travel became more frequent and the number of flights increased, it was clear that Cambridge airport was only suitable for light aircraft. In June 1948, Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced the construction of a new AU£760,000 airport at Llanherne.<ref name=CanberraTimes>Airport proposed for Hobart Canberra Times 2 June 1948 page 1</ref> With Australia's continual interest in Antarctica, it was believed the southernmost airport of Australia would serve as an ideal base for heavy aircraft serving the region.<ref name=CanberraTimes/> Hobart Airport was commissioned in 1956 as the primary regular public transport airport.<ref name=Masterplan2004>2004 Master Plan Hobart International Airport</ref> It was initially named Llanherne Airport, after the property on which it was built, but the name has since fallen into disuse. In its first full year of operation, the airport processed 120,086 passengers and 11,724 tonnes of freight, ranking fifth in Australia.<ref name=AnnualReport2008>Annual report for year ended 30 June 2008 Hobart International Airport</ref>
By 1957, the airport's infrastructure comprised a small terminal building which remains at the south-eastern end of the current terminal, two freight hangars, a fuel depot, a timber weather station, and the airport administration office and works compound.<ref name=Masterplan2004/> In 1964, the Federal Government upgraded and lengthened the runway to cater for jet aircraft. The runway was extended again in 1985<ref name=Masterplan2004/> to cater for large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Antonov 124 (albeit to a limited operating range).<ref name=Masterplan2004/> The current domestic terminal building was officially opened on 28 July 1976<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the international terminal building in 1986.<ref name=Masterplan2004/><ref>Airlines Australian Transport October 1976 page 9</ref> The Federal Government corporatised the airport in January 1988 with the establishment of the Federal Airports Corporation.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Privatisation
In June 1998, Hobart Airport was privatised, with a 99-year lease purchased by a consortium of Hobart Ports Corporation, Hambros Australia and Airport Group International.<ref>[New airport leases announced Australian Aviation issue 139 May 1998 page 21</ref><ref name="avline">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Masterplan2004/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2004, the domestic terminal was redeveloped for the first time in its 30-year history. This development involved modernising the terminal, moving the retail shops to within the security screening area, realignment of the car park and moving the car rental facilities to a new building in the car park. In 2005, Hobart Airport experienced record annual passenger numbers<ref name=AnnualReport2008/> and it was decided to bring forward plans to upgrade the seating capacity of the airport. This work expanded the domestic terminal building over the tarmac by three metres to provide more departure lounge space.
In December 2007, the Tasmanian Government sold the TasPorts owned subsidiary for $350 million to the Tasmanian Gateway Consortium, a private consortium made up of Macquarie Capital (one of Macquarie Group's infrastructure funds) and Tasmania's public sector superannuation fund, the Tasplan.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> The sale was in line with other state capital airport sell-offs, and Hobart airport was the last capital city airport remaining under government control. In October 2019, Macquarie Capital sold its stake to Queensland Investment Corporation and Schiphol Group.<ref>Royal Schiphol Group acquires a stake in Hobart International Airport Schiphol Group 1 October 2019</ref><ref>Consortium acquires 70% interest in Hobart International Airport Infrastructure Magazine 2 October 2019</ref>
In February 2024, Hutchinson Builders began work to double the size of the terminal.<ref>Hobart Airport’s $200 million terminal upgrade takes off for 2027 completion Pulse Tasmania 23 February 2024</ref> In July 2024, work began to upgrade the runway to accommodate Airbus A350 and Boeing 787s.<ref>$130m Hobart Airport runway upgrade to open doors to more direct international destinations Pulse Tasmania 1 May 2024</ref><ref>Work begins on Hobart's $130m runway upgrade Australian Aviation 19 July 2024</ref> The runway upgrade was completed in August 2025.<ref>Asian hopes for Hobart Airliner World October 2025 page 20</ref>
Terminals
Hobart Airport has two passenger terminals. In 2007, the two terminals were connected in a $15 million<ref name="redevelopment">Template:Cite news</ref> development to meet new Commonwealth legislation that requires all checked luggage to be X-rayed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2008, the airport received a commendation for public architecture at the Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, for the new terminal upgrade.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The airport currently maintains a combined international, domestic and general aviation apron. Provisions have been made to create a dedicated general aviation apron to the south of the one currently in use.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> The 2022 draft masterplan confirms that the terminal building will be increasing in size from the current Template:Convert to around Template:Convert in the medium term.
Domestic terminal
The current domestic terminal was opened in 1976 and has been expanded several times since.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> All airlines share the same check in and departure area towards the south-eastern end of the building. A Qantas Club is located airside within the departures area, with provision for an expanded lounge for both Qantas and Virgin Australia in the master plan. The arrivals hall for all airlines is located at the north-western end of the building and contains two baggage carousels. The easternmost of the baggage carousels can be secured for use by international arrivals.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> The domestic apron has six parking bays for narrow-body (Boeing 737/Airbus A320-sized) aircraft, with three additional parking bays located toward the northern end of the domestic apron.
International terminal
The international terminal was opened in 1983 to facilitate Trans-Tasman air traffic, although, international flights began at the airport in December 1980 with Ansett and TAA offering services to New Zealand.<ref name=Masterplan2009/><ref name=Masterplan2004/> In 1985 the terminal was upgraded, along with the runway, to provide limited 747 operations.<ref name=Masterplan2009/><ref name=Masterplan2004/> Between 1998 and 2020, no regular international flights serviced the airport<ref name="avline" /> after Air New Zealand suspended their operations from Christchurch.<ref>Hobart Australian Aviation issue 143 September 1998 page 22</ref> Direct international flights recommenced in April, 2021 with Air New Zealand to Auckland operating twice weekly in winter and thrice weekly over summer. The terminal is also used by Skytraders for flights to Antarctica and occasional charter airline flights.<ref name=Masterplan2009/><ref name="internationalmar2014">Template:Cite news</ref> The terminal's apron has a single wide-body parking bay overlapping two narrow-body bays. This bay is able to accommodate large wide-body aircraft up to and including Boeing 747-400 and 777–200.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> The international terminal's apron is used primarily for domestic operations and Skytraders' seasonal Antarctic flights as well as the Air New Zealand flights to Auckland.<ref name=Masterplan2009/>
Freight
There are two domestic freight areas operating at the airport, catering for Qantas, Toll Air and Virgin Australia.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> The facility includes two buildings on a total area of approximately Template:Convert, including the freight apron area. Qantas uses dedicated jet freight aircraft.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> In January 2007, Virgin Blue and Toll Air opened a Template:Convert dedicated freight facility to the north of the international terminal. This new freight area has no dedicated apron of its own, but rather makes use of the cargo holds of the passenger aircraft already serving the airport.<ref name=Masterplan2009/>
General aviation
The majority of Hobart's general aviation traffic makes use of the nearby Cambridge Aerodrome, which was sold in 1992 on the condition that it remain an airport until 2004.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> Since that date, Hobart Airport has made plans for a large expansion catering for general aviation should the owners of Cambridge Aerodrome decide to use the land for other purposes.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> This expansion would include a new runway and a general aviation apron located south of the existing Domestic Terminal.<ref name=Masterplan2009/>
Runway
Hobart Airport has one runway, 12/30, which is aligned north–west to south–east and is Template:Convert.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> The runway was extended in 2017 by 500 metres comprising a 350-metre extension at the southern end, a 150-metre lengthening to the northern end, and the relocation of the approach lights. The high strength flexible runway is constructed with an asphaltic concrete surface<ref name=Masterplan2004/> and is suitable for all Code E aircraft operations up to and including Boeing 777/747 aircraft.<ref name=Masterplan2004/> The current runway length is adequate for unrestricted operations on a Boeing 787-9 to China and Japan. The runway conforms to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's standards.
In 2009, Hobart International Airport Pty Ltd announced detailed plans for the airport with a new 20-year master plan.<ref name=Masterplan2009/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Currently aircraft have to taxi along the runway and proceed to the parking apron via taxiways in the middle of the runway.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> This has both capacity and safety implications for the airport, as the runway cannot be used whilst an aircraft is taxiing.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> The plans provide for a parallel taxiway to the full length of runway.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> When complete, aircraft landing on the runway would proceed to the end of the runway and exit via the parallel taxiway. This would allow for greater utilisation of the existing runway.<ref name=Masterplan2009/>
The airport purchased land from the Tasmanian Government in the southern part of the airport for future development of operational facilities.<ref name="avline" /><ref name=Masterplan2004/> This additional area would allow for a short runway for general aviation aircraft, either parallel to the main runway along the southern end of the eastern boundary of the airport, or a cross runway<ref name="avline" /> towards the southern end of the main runway. The alternative second runway would provide an opportunity to improve the operational management of the lighter categories of aircraft. However, the second runway is not likely to be developed any time soon, because the existing runway is under-utilised.<ref name=Masterplan2004/>
Other facilities
Hotel
In December 2005, prominent Hobart developer Ali Sultan proposed a four star, 60-room hotel/motel for the airport.<ref name="ali">Template:Cite web</ref> The hotel, named the Quality Hotel Hobart Airport, was opened on 1 December 2008. The hotel comprises 78 rooms, a restaurant/café and a number of conference and meeting spaces.<ref name="hotel">Template:Cite web</ref> The hotel employs 25 people.
Big box development
Early in 2006, the airport announced plans to build a Direct Factory Outlet, covering an area of Template:Convert,<ref name="unhappy">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> which would have made it the largest of its kind in Australia. Austexx, a Melbourne-based company was the main investor in the $100 million project.<ref name="austexx">Template:Cite news</ref>
While the Tasmanian Government supported the project, believing the Direct Factory Outlet would drive retail trade growth, the Hobart City Council and a large amount of retail shop owners in the Hobart central business district expressed fears of losing business.<ref name="austexx" /> Concern was also expressed about the big box being built on commonwealth land and therefore escaping the state planning laws.<ref name="austexx" /> In 2008, plans for the project were submitted to the Federal Government for assessment. Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss gave approval on condition the outlet centre was cut by almost half to Template:Convert,<ref name="unhappy" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> prompting Austexx to walk away from the proposal.<ref name="unhappy" /> In February 2008, Austexx' chief executive Geoff Porz confirmed the Direct Factory Outlet and Homemaker Hub project was back on,<ref name="go ahead">Template:Cite web</ref> however Austexx went into receivership in 2010,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and as of Template:TODAY the site remains undeveloped.
Cold storage and warehousing
In December 2018 Link Logistics International started a cold storage and warehousing facility at the Hobart Airport. The cool rooms have a height of eight metres, which is ideal for block stacking pallets. Since opening the cold storage, Link Logistics International Pty Ltd has provided temperature-controlled storage solutions for customers wanting short-term seasonal storage to long-term storage. Storage has been provided to the industry from various sectors, including seafood, viticulture, stone fruit, berries, vegetable processors, craft beer, poultry, wine, ice cream, and restaurateurs wanting a larger storage alternative.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Airlines and destinations
Passenger
Template:Airport destination list
Qantas formerly operated dedicated 'flightseeing' services over Antarctica from Hobart. These flights, which used a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, departed Hobart from the international/domestic terminal, and provided a guided aerial tour of Antarctica before returning to Australia. These flights were about thirteen hours in total.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Prior to April 2023, Sharp Airlines flew from Hobart to Launceston, Burnie, King Island and Flinders Island.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Cargo
Template:Airport destination list
Traffic and statistics
| Rank | Airport | Passengers | % change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Template:Flag icon Melbourne | 1,373,100 | Template:Increase 6.1% |
| 2 | Template:Flag icon Sydney | 804,800 | Template:Increase 9.5% |
| 3 | Template:Flag icon Brisbane | 307,000 | Template:Increase 4.5% |
| Year | Domestic | International | Total | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 855,934 | 2,690 | 858,624 | Template:Increase 2.7% |
| 1999 | 877,992 | - | 877,992 | Template:Increase 2.3% |
| 2000 | 927,957 | - | 927,957 | Template:Increase 5.7% |
| 2001 | 996,179 | - | 996,179 | Template:Increase 7.4% |
| 2002 | 947,682 | - | 947,682 | Template:Decrease -4.9% |
| 2003 | 1,101,555 | - | 1,101,555 | Template:Increase 16.2% |
| 2004 | 1,380,849 | - | 1,380,849 | Template:Increase 25.4% |
| 2005 | 1,600,185 | - | 1,600,185 | Template:Increase 15.9% |
| 2006 | 1,617,810 | - | 1,617,810 | Template:Increase 1.1% |
| 2007 | 1,663,596 | - | 1,663,596 | Template:Increase 2.8% |
| 2008 | 1,830,870 | - | 1,830,870 | Template:Increase 10.1% |
| 2009 | 1,874,459 | - | 1,874,459 | Template:Increase 2.4% |
| 2010 | 1,882,092 | - | 1,882,092 | Template:Increase 0.4% |
| 2011 | 1,844,681 | - | 1,844,681 | Template:Decrease -2.0% |
| 2012 | 1,919,026 | - | 1,919,026 | Template:Increase 4.0% |
| 2013 | 2,091,706 | - | 2,091,706 | Template:Increase 9.0% |
| 2014 | 2,127,981 | - | 2,127,981 | Template:Increase 1.7% |
| 2015 | 2,238,432 | - | 2,238,432 | Template:Increase 5.2% |
| 2016 | 2,378,137 | - | 2,378,137 | Template:Increase 6.2% |
| 2017 | 2,510,343 | - | 2,510,343 | Template:Increase 5.6% |
| 2018 | 2,676,628 | - | 2,676,628 | Template:Increase 6.6% |
| 2019 | 2,781,739 | - | 2,781,739 | Template:Increase 3.9% |
| 2020 | 879,663 | - | 879,663 | Template:Decrease -68.4% |
| 2021 | 1,261,289 | 4,480 | 1,265,769 | Template:Increase 43.9% |
| 2022 | 2,289,011 | 14,527 | 2,303,538 | Template:Increase 82.0% |
| 2023 | 2,579,514 | 31,915 | 2,611,429 | Template:Increase 13.0% |
| 2024 | 2,729,286 | 20,292 | 2,749,578 | Template:Increase 5.3% |
Ground transport
Hobart Airport has a car park that caters for short, medium and long term parking. There is also a well-serviced taxi rank and limousine service operating at the airport. There are numerous car rental operators.
Public transport had not been a high use alternative to private transport for those travelling to and from the airport.<ref name=Masterplan2009/> A SkyBus service was launched in June 2018,<ref>SkyBus soars into Hobart SkyBus 20 June 2018</ref> which operates between the Hobart central business district and the airport. The shuttle departs outside the terminal every 30 minutes transferring passengers to the city.<ref name=Masterplan2009/>
References
External links
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Template:Portal bar Template:Hobart landmarks Template:Airports in Australia Template:Airports in Tasmania Template:Macquarie Group Template:Authority control