Moranbah Airport Terminal is Starting to Taking Shape!

Even though I didn't spot too many aircraft, what I did see on my recent trip to my Moranbah Airport was that the new airport terminal is well and truly starting to take shape!

The new Moranbah Airport terminal building is part of the $46 million Airport upgrade project, which has included an expansion and complete resurfacing of the airport apron, and will also include a new 100+ space carpark.

I was warmly greeted by three QantasLink workers who explained to me that the terminal was due for completion later this year.  Until then, QantasLink continues to operate out of temporary - albeit updated - facilities.  These include temporary check-in counters and an undercover temporary passenger waiting area – which actually looks like an aircraft hangar!

The "Moranbah Aero Club" where QantasLink previously operated out of is still there too!

Of the aircraft that were present when I called in, I was able to photograph Cessna 182 VH-VLE and Cessna 172 VH-BXR of Silverlena Aviation Services at Currajong.

Moranbah Airport is currently experiencing significant growth in passenger and aircraft movement numbers.  This is due to significant growth in nearby coal mining and LNG exploration areas.  QantasLink, for instance, operated 46 flights into Moranbah last week - including two from and to Townsville, and one from and to Mackay - the remainder of the flights were from and to Brisbane, with 15 of these being closed fly-in fly-out (FIFO) charter flights.

The number of QantasLink flights is increasing - it is expected that as many as 50 flights will call into Moranbah within a couple of months.  There are also increasing numbers of other charter flights calling into Moranbah - for instance, Seair has operated a pair of Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft in Moranbah most weeks operating between Moranbah and Hervey Bay.

It is certainly an exciting time in Moranbah, with a 100% fly-in fly-out mine due to open in the coming months - we look forward to bringing you coverage of future developments!