Geraldton Airport

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This article is about the airport in Australia. For the airport in Canada, see Geraldton (Greenstone Regional) Airport.

Geraldton Airport
Geraldton Airport logo.png
  • IATA: GET
  • ICAO: YGEL
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorCity of Greater Geraldton
ServesGeraldton
LocationMoonyoonooka, Western Australia
Elevation AMSL121 ft / 37 m
Coordinates28°47′47″S 114°42′22″E / 28.79639°S 114.70611°E / -28.79639; 114.70611Coordinates: 28°47′47″S 114°42′22″E / 28.79639°S 114.70611°E / -28.79639; 114.70611
Websiteairport.cgg.wa.gov.au
Map
GET / YGEL is located in Western Australia
GET / YGEL
GET / YGEL
Location in Western Australia
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
03/21 2,400 7,874 Asphalt
08/26 900 2,953 Gravel
14/32 844 2,769 Asphalt
Statistics (2016/17[1])
Passengers115,701
Aircraft movements2,409
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[2]
Passenger and aircraft movements from the BITRE[3]

Geraldton Airport (IATA: GET, ICAO: YGEL) is an airport located 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) east[2] of Geraldton, Western Australia, in Moonyoonooka along the Geraldton – Mount Magnet Road. On average, from 2013 to 2017, more than 120,000 passengers used the airport annually.[3]

Background[]

Geraldton Airport is the general aviation and regular passenger transport airport for the City of Greater Geraldton and it meets varying transport, industrial and commercial interests across the Mid West region.

Geraldton Airport is the main regional base for aircraft charter operations, flight training, private flying, aerial and agricultural work and aircraft maintenance in the Mid West region.

The closest significant aerodromes are Mullewa, 100 km (62 mi) to the east or Kalbarri 100 km (62 mi) to the north and for larger jet operations Perth Airport, 370 km (230 mi) to the south.

Geraldton Airport has daily Regular Public Transport (RPT) services to and from Perth, provided by QantasLink using Fokker 100 and A320 aircraft.

Geraldton Airport is the base for several general aviation flying training and charter operators, namely;

  • Geraldton Air Charter, who purchased Abrolhos Air Services in 2002 and incorporated into business.
  • Batavia Coast Air Charter
  • Shine Aviation Services
  • Mid West Aero Club
  • OM Helicopters

Shine Aviation Services conduct flying training and utilise a gazetted low flying training area to the south east of the airport. Shine Aviation Services are also a major fly-in fly-out operator in the region.

Midwest Aviation conduct aircraft maintenance and have aircraft engineers.

Bristow Helicopters provide offshore support services to drill companies exploring offshore from Dongara.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia utilises the airport on an as-required basis and has an aircraft hangar which is vested in the City of Greater Geraldton adjacent to the general aviation terminal.

Local charter operations from Geraldton Airport providing fly-in fly-out services include Shine Aviation to Golden Grove Mine, Mount Magnet and Jack Hills. Virgin Australia operates to Boolgeeda Airport from Geraldton, and Network Aviation (branded as QantasLink), Cobham Aviation Services Australia and Skippers Aviation operate charters to various sites on a non regular basis. Shine Aviation and Geraldton Air Charter offer fixed wing charters and scenic flights to the Abrolhos Islands.

VH-XZJ "Mendoowoorrji" at Geraldton Airport.
Qantas B737-800 aircraft VH-XZJ "Mendoowoorrji" at Geraldton Airport.

Geraldton is close enough to Perth to receive a significant number of private operations from aircraft based in Perth. Geraldton is also a convenient location for pilots to fly to for recreational reasons.

Flying training squadrons from RAAF Base Pearce also use Geraldton Airport. They pay regular visits with Pilatus PC-12 training aircraft often staying overnight conducting circuits and cross-country navigation exercises. C130 Hercules transport aircraft also use Geraldton Airport for training on occasions throughout the year.

History[]

World War II
Service personnel and civilians queue up to inspect the Avro Lancaster bomber "Queenie VI", at No. 4 Service Flying Training School, RAAF at Geraldton Airport

From 1941 to 1945, Geraldton was the site of No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF during World War II.

It was formed in February 1941 and commenced flying the following month, responsible for intermediate and advanced instruction of pilots under the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS). The school operated Avro Anson aircraft and by November 1941, two Fairey Battles and two de Havilland Fox Moths also operated at No. 4 SFTS.

In August 1943, No. 4 SFTS had a visit from an Avro Lancaster, "Queenie VI".[4]

Two reserve squadrons were formed in response to the outbreak of war in the Pacific, though they never saw action. Flying activity was reduced towards the end of 1943, and the school was disbanded in May 1945, having graduated over 1,000 pilots. It re-formed as No. 87 Operational Base Unit, which was renamed Care and Maintenance Unit (CMU) Geraldton in May 1946. CMU Geraldton was disbanded in September 1947.

2018-2019 Airport Expansion Project[]

In 2019, the City of Greater Geraldton completed a $24 million project to expand the capacity of Geraldton Airport, with works that commenced in November 2018.[5]

The expansion project included the renewal and upgrade of the existing runway, taxiway and apron pavements as well as extension of the main runway to 2,389 metres and expansion of the main apron to accommodate larger aircraft such as the A330 and B787. Geraldton Airport will also have greater capacity as an alternative landing port for Perth Airport in the case of fog or bad weather.

The City also stated that the expansion will enable development of direct interstate and international services for tourism and airfreight, and should give the private sector greater confidence to invest in Geraldton.

The expansion of Geraldton Airport commenced November 2018 and was completed in June 2019, with WBHO Infrastructure being awarded the construction contract.[6]

Funding for the project consisted of:

  • $7.5 million contributed by the City of Greater Geraldton
  • $6.5 million contributed by the Western Australian State Government
  • $10 million contributed by the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund

The airport runway extensions were officially opened on Friday 6 September 2019 by Federal Member for Durack the Hon. Melissa Price MP, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn and Member for the Agricultural Region Hon. Laurie Graham MLC.[7]

Airlines and destinations[]

AirlinesDestinations
QantasLink Perth

Statistics[]

Geraldton Airport was ranked 45th in Australia for the number of revenue passengers served in financial year 2016-2017.[1][3]

Annual passenger and aircraft statistics for Geraldton Airport[3]
Year[1] Revenue passengers Aircraft movements
2001-02
48,774
2,421
2002-03
54,880
2,552
2003-04
56,707
2,416
2004-05
77,235
3,727
2005-06
88,610
3,676
2006-07
87,634
3,473
2007-08
103,455
4,273
2008-09
99,479
4,068
2009-10
99,364
4,198
2010-11
104,051
3,783
2011-12
126,818
3,779
2012-13
130,530
3,647
2013-14
129,980
3,844
2014-15
120,442
3,466
2015-16
116,852
2,891
2016-17
115,701
2,409

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June
  2. ^ a b YGEL – Geraldton (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 2 Dec 2021, Aeronautical Chart
  3. ^ a b c d "Airport Traffic Data 1985 to 2017". Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (BITRE). July 2018. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2018. Refers to "Regular Public Transport (RPT) operations only"
  4. ^ "GERALDTON, WA. 1943-08-20. LANCASTER BOMBER A66-1 (QUEENIE VI) JUST AFTER TOUCHING DOWN AT NO. 4". Australian War Memorial. 29 July 2018. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Geraldton Airport expansion takes flight". City of Greater Geraldton. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Airport precinct construction projects begin". City of Greater Geraldton.
  7. ^ "Airport runway extension paves way for economic growth". City of Greater Geraldton.

External links[]

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