Norfolk Island Airport

History

The airstrip was built by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II as a defensive measure to counter feared Japanese operations in the South Pacific. 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.

Initially used for bomber patrols and for a transport service to Bougainville Island, the airfield was never used as a major base and became a stopover for aircraft travelling between Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands. The Royal New Zealand Air Force 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 (529 mi) southeast of Norfolk is Kaitaia Airport the most northerly airfield in New Zealand, 754 km (469 mi) north is Nouméa Airport in New Caledonia, and 900 km (560 mi) west is Lord Howe Island Airport which is 600 km (370 mi) 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 (113 m) above sea level. It has two asphalt paved runways: 11/29 measuring 1,950 m × 45 m (6,398 ft × 148 ft) and 04/22 measuring 1,435 m × 30 m (4,708 ft × 98 ft). 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.

Notes

Air New Zealand's services to Norfolk Island consist of 1 flight per week from Auckland, 1 flight per week from Brisbane and 2 flights per week from Sydney. On 16 December 2016, Air New Zealand announced it was stopping its Auckland to Norfolk Island services citing low passenger numbers. The last flight is on 21 May 2017. Norfolk Jet Express operated from the airport from 1997 to 2005 and Norfolk Air from 2006 to 2012.

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.