Rockhampton Regional Council has recently announced that the number of people using Rockhampton Airport is soaring. There has been an increase of 8.7% in passenger movements compared to the same period in 2009, which has helped set a new annual record (for the year to September) of 751,327 passengers for the airport.
Council says "this is an extremely positive and encouraging milestone for the airport and region".
These figures are the best Council have ever seen, and they expect that these will further increase during October and November due to the Republic of Singapore Armed Forces military exercise, "Wallaby 2010".
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Jetstar plane bound for Mackay Airport forced to turn back to Brisbane
A Jetstar plane bound for Mackay was forced to return to Brisbane on Tuesday 16 November after experiencing a mechanical problem. Jetstar flight JQ888, which was being operated by Airbus A320 VH-VQO, took off from Brisbane about 2.30pm, but returned shortly afterwards. The A320 landed without incident and none of the passengers and crew were injured.
Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway was quoted (on http://www.abc.net.au/) as saying:
"The issue was we were losing some hydraulic fluid. A directive was given to the captain that some fluid was left on the tarmac when the aircraft took off" he said.
"The aircraft would've been stranded in Mackay if it pushed onwards to Mackay and the decision, the right decision, was made to return that aircraft back to Brisbane."
The issue appears to have affected the aircraft's landing gear.
Mr Westaway said that investigations were continuing.
Passengers were transferred to a later flight (which was operated by Jetstar's A320 VH-VGP which wears a special decal promoting "Powderfinger's" Australian tour).
Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway was quoted (on http://www.abc.net.au/) as saying:
"The issue was we were losing some hydraulic fluid. A directive was given to the captain that some fluid was left on the tarmac when the aircraft took off" he said.
"The aircraft would've been stranded in Mackay if it pushed onwards to Mackay and the decision, the right decision, was made to return that aircraft back to Brisbane."
The issue appears to have affected the aircraft's landing gear.
Mr Westaway said that investigations were continuing.
Passengers were transferred to a later flight (which was operated by Jetstar's A320 VH-VGP which wears a special decal promoting "Powderfinger's" Australian tour).
Monday, November 15, 2010
Jetstar Special Colours and more at Mackay Airport
Photographed arriving into Mackay Airport on Saturday 13 November was Jetstar’s A320 VH-VGZ wearing special “Quiksilver” colours. This colour scheme is to promote the “Quiksilver Pro” surfing competition that is held on the Gold Coast each year.
Also spotted was a recent arrival into Mackay in the form of Yakovlev Yak-52 VH-YAF. It is photographed below on final approach after a 10min flight around Mackay and Walkerston.
Later in the afternoon, Surveillance Australia (Australian Customs Service) Dash-8-200 VH-ZZP is photographed arriving into Mackay as “Coastwatch 343”. This photo (below) was taken from my hotel along Nebo Road (Bruce Highway), showing how closely aircraft on final approach to Runway 14 can be seen.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Gladstone Airport News and Alliance Charter Flight
With Gladstone Airport's new runway fully operational, Alliance Airlines flew a jet charter to Gladstone from Brisbane on Friday 12 November. Fokker F100 VH-FWI arrived mid-morning, before returning to Brisbane later in afternoon. It is possible that this charter could be the first of many with the new LNG gas projects commencing nearby.
Meanwhile, low cloud and generally poor weather in Gladstone during September saw several inbound QantasLink flights divert to Rockhampton, and others cancelled. It is believed that the runway works contributed to a higher than normal approach minima. At no stage however, did the airport close.
Meanwhile, low cloud and generally poor weather in Gladstone during September saw several inbound QantasLink flights divert to Rockhampton, and others cancelled. It is believed that the runway works contributed to a higher than normal approach minima. At no stage however, did the airport close.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Recent Tiger Airways changes to CQ Airports
Tiger Airways passengers will experience some changes when flying out of Central Queensland Airports after changes to the airline's timetable this week. Mackay passengers flying to Melbourne will now land at Avalon airport, while direct flights from Rockhampton to Melbourne have been re-instated, with passengers also flying into Avalon Airport.
Previously, Tiger Airways used Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport for its Rockhampton and Mackay flights, but it will now use Avalon after the airport officially became the low-cost airline's third base this week.
Tiger Airways says that the move "will ensure that low-fare air travel will become more convenient and affordable for customers wanting to fly to Victoria and explore more of Victoria's tourism drawcards, such as the Great Ocean Road".
Tiger's Mackay to Melbourne (Avalon) timetable:
Mackay - Melbourne (Avalon)
Departing Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, 6.35pm
Melbourne (Avalon) - Mackay
Arriving Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, 6.05pm
Tiger's Rockhampton to Melbourne (Avalon) timetable:
Rockhampton - Melbourne (Avalon)
Departing Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 6.20pm
Melbourne (Avalon) - Rockhampton
Arriving Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 5.50pm
Tiger is planning to revert these flights back to Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport from February 2011, and will also continue to fly to Rockhampton from Brisbane until February 2011.
Previously, Tiger Airways used Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport for its Rockhampton and Mackay flights, but it will now use Avalon after the airport officially became the low-cost airline's third base this week.
Tiger Airways says that the move "will ensure that low-fare air travel will become more convenient and affordable for customers wanting to fly to Victoria and explore more of Victoria's tourism drawcards, such as the Great Ocean Road".
Tiger's Mackay to Melbourne (Avalon) timetable:
Mackay - Melbourne (Avalon)
Departing Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, 6.35pm
Melbourne (Avalon) - Mackay
Arriving Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, 6.05pm
Tiger's Rockhampton to Melbourne (Avalon) timetable:
Rockhampton - Melbourne (Avalon)
Departing Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 6.20pm
Melbourne (Avalon) - Rockhampton
Arriving Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 5.50pm
Tiger is planning to revert these flights back to Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport from February 2011, and will also continue to fly to Rockhampton from Brisbane until February 2011.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
TRIP REPORT – Brisbane to Mackay – Jetstar Airways – A320
Trip report – Brisbane to Mackay – Saturday 2 October 2010 – Jetstar Airways – JQ884 – A320-232 – VH-VQF.
At the end of our long journey overseas, we returned to Brisbane early in the morning, and courtesy of a lift (thanks again Mum and Aunty!!), we arrived at the Brisbane Domestic Terminal about 2½ hours before our flight. Jetstar have a fully automatic check-in system in Brisbane, meaning we had to simply type in our reservation number into the kiosk, specify how many bags we had to check-in, collect our boarding passes and bag tags, apply the bag tags (per attached instructions!!), and proceed to the bag drop and away we go!! Simple!!
And yes – it was very simple and easy!! We walked straight up to a check-in/bag drop agent (no queue necessary) and gave the bags straight over, and since exit row seats were available, we took them, and we were issued with our new boarding passes.
It does seem that all Jetstar passengers are encouraged to use the automatic check-in now as some people who said they couldn’t use the machines were being re-directed back to them to try again – perhaps the check-in agents will be done away with soon??
Up through a fairly big security queue – which we were now used to thanks to travelling though European airports – and straight to Gate 38 where VH-VQF (in new colours and pictured below) pulled up to take us north.
Boarding was though the front door only and by row number, although I don’t think the public like to play by these rules as there were people in just about every row when we eventually decided to board. Flight ended up being about 75% full. Push back and start – complete with "barking dog" – was pretty much on time, followed by taxi and fairly quick take off from Brisbane’s Runway 19. Through the clouds and a fairly smooth flight up North with the luxury of the extra legroom of the exit room – as shown below.
Snack service came through very quickly with no one really buying anything, so with that done, the cabin crew (only three) weren’t seen until preparations for landing. A very cloudy Mackay awaited us and the seat belt sign came on shortly after we started descent. We flew the VOR approach from overhead the airport with a left turn onto finals and landing Runway 14 at Mackay. Bags came out after about 10 minutes.
Jetstar service is great – I like the idea of the (nearly) fully automated check-in procedure – and as usual the on-board service was great.
At the end of our long journey overseas, we returned to Brisbane early in the morning, and courtesy of a lift (thanks again Mum and Aunty!!), we arrived at the Brisbane Domestic Terminal about 2½ hours before our flight. Jetstar have a fully automatic check-in system in Brisbane, meaning we had to simply type in our reservation number into the kiosk, specify how many bags we had to check-in, collect our boarding passes and bag tags, apply the bag tags (per attached instructions!!), and proceed to the bag drop and away we go!! Simple!!
And yes – it was very simple and easy!! We walked straight up to a check-in/bag drop agent (no queue necessary) and gave the bags straight over, and since exit row seats were available, we took them, and we were issued with our new boarding passes.
It does seem that all Jetstar passengers are encouraged to use the automatic check-in now as some people who said they couldn’t use the machines were being re-directed back to them to try again – perhaps the check-in agents will be done away with soon??
Up through a fairly big security queue – which we were now used to thanks to travelling though European airports – and straight to Gate 38 where VH-VQF (in new colours and pictured below) pulled up to take us north.
Boarding was though the front door only and by row number, although I don’t think the public like to play by these rules as there were people in just about every row when we eventually decided to board. Flight ended up being about 75% full. Push back and start – complete with "barking dog" – was pretty much on time, followed by taxi and fairly quick take off from Brisbane’s Runway 19. Through the clouds and a fairly smooth flight up North with the luxury of the extra legroom of the exit room – as shown below.
Snack service came through very quickly with no one really buying anything, so with that done, the cabin crew (only three) weren’t seen until preparations for landing. A very cloudy Mackay awaited us and the seat belt sign came on shortly after we started descent. We flew the VOR approach from overhead the airport with a left turn onto finals and landing Runway 14 at Mackay. Bags came out after about 10 minutes.
Jetstar service is great – I like the idea of the (nearly) fully automated check-in procedure – and as usual the on-board service was great.
TRIP REPORT – Mackay to Brisbane – QantasLink – Dash-8-Q400
Trip Report – Mackay to Brisbane – Saturday 11 September 2010 – QantasLink – QF2511 – Dash-8-Q400 – VH-QOJ
Well this (comparably) small trip started my wife and I’s journey to Europe. A 6.45am departure meant an early start and we arrived at the airport at about 5.30am. Check-in wasn’t open, and neither was the airport's café… hmmm… we waited about 15 minutes and check-in opened with 2 agents checking our QantasLink flight in. Small queue and soon to the agent where our big (28kg) bag was checked in to Brisbane without dramas. We also checked in a smaller bag too. We were assigned seats in the back row of our plane, which again isn’t an issue as legroom is ample in the Dash-8-Q400.
By now the airport's café had opened so we settled back for some breakfast, then through security, and then waiting for our flight! The morning's Virgin Blue Embraer E190 service to Brisbane boarded, and whilst it was starting and taxiing away, we commenced our boarding. All this was done in about 15 minutes – flight was full. Engines start, taxi onto the runway and back-track to take-off Runway 14 at Mackay.
Some nice early morning views over the Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay Coal terminals (just South of Mackay Airport) with as many as 70 ships anchored out to sea waiting for their turn to load.
Breakfast was served and consisted of yogurt and muesli bar, along with orange juice and tea/coffee.
Smooth flight and descent with a nice view of Caboolture Aerodrome out to the left side.
We overflew Redcliffe and made a visual approach to Runway 19 into a fine and sunny Brisbane. Got to the stand-off gate, seat-belts off, passengers standing-up and keen to get off, bags were coming off… but we waited… and waited… and waited… Turns out another Dash-8 was taxiing out before we could get off the plane. We obviously then collected our bags pretty quickly and waited for our lift up to the International terminal (thanks Mum and Aunty!!).
Overall another great flight with QantasLink!
Well this (comparably) small trip started my wife and I’s journey to Europe. A 6.45am departure meant an early start and we arrived at the airport at about 5.30am. Check-in wasn’t open, and neither was the airport's café… hmmm… we waited about 15 minutes and check-in opened with 2 agents checking our QantasLink flight in. Small queue and soon to the agent where our big (28kg) bag was checked in to Brisbane without dramas. We also checked in a smaller bag too. We were assigned seats in the back row of our plane, which again isn’t an issue as legroom is ample in the Dash-8-Q400.
By now the airport's café had opened so we settled back for some breakfast, then through security, and then waiting for our flight! The morning's Virgin Blue Embraer E190 service to Brisbane boarded, and whilst it was starting and taxiing away, we commenced our boarding. All this was done in about 15 minutes – flight was full. Engines start, taxi onto the runway and back-track to take-off Runway 14 at Mackay.
Some nice early morning views over the Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay Coal terminals (just South of Mackay Airport) with as many as 70 ships anchored out to sea waiting for their turn to load.
Breakfast was served and consisted of yogurt and muesli bar, along with orange juice and tea/coffee.
Smooth flight and descent with a nice view of Caboolture Aerodrome out to the left side.
We overflew Redcliffe and made a visual approach to Runway 19 into a fine and sunny Brisbane. Got to the stand-off gate, seat-belts off, passengers standing-up and keen to get off, bags were coming off… but we waited… and waited… and waited… Turns out another Dash-8 was taxiing out before we could get off the plane. We obviously then collected our bags pretty quickly and waited for our lift up to the International terminal (thanks Mum and Aunty!!).
Overall another great flight with QantasLink!
Skytrans fly to Alpha Aerodrome
With info courtesy of Lloyd F in Brisbane, 2 Skytrans Dash-8-100's operated Brisbane-Alpha-Brisbane on Saturday 6 November. The aircraft involved were believed to be VH-QQE and VH-QQH.
Alpha is the hub of the proposed Gallilee Basin coal mining area. Once given the green light over 10,000 fly in fly out workers will be needed.
Alpha is the hub of the proposed Gallilee Basin coal mining area. Once given the green light over 10,000 fly in fly out workers will be needed.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Mackay and Whitsunday Airports Upgrades begin
A recent news report HERE from Mackay's Daily Mercury newspaper about Mackay Airport's new look, with the first major terminal refurbishment since 2004 recently beginning as part of a wider $10 million upgrade plan.
There is also a report HERE about plans for an Airport Motel in Mackay Airport's redevelopment.
Meanwhile The Daily Mercury reports HERE about an upgrade to the Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine.
There is also a report HERE about plans for an Airport Motel in Mackay Airport's redevelopment.
Meanwhile The Daily Mercury reports HERE about an upgrade to the Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Rockhampton Airport Action Last Week
Some photos from Ben O at Rockhampton Airport last week.
Monday 25 October saw this brightly coloured Eurocopter EC135 helicopter VH-WKK (pictured below) pass through Rockhampton. It is registered to Helicopters Australia in W.A.
Noted (possibly for the first time in Rockhampton) on Wednesday 27 October was Singapore Flying College Cessna 510 Mustang VH-SQW. It is pictured below on one of its many touch-and-go's on Runway 15.
Meanwhile, later in the day 5 Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk helicopters passed through Rockhampton for a refuel before heading South. Two of these helicopters are pictured below parked on the apron.
Also one of the Republic of Singapore (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters is pictured below (finally!!) in the air using callsigns "Astro" and "Atom".
Monday 25 October saw this brightly coloured Eurocopter EC135 helicopter VH-WKK (pictured below) pass through Rockhampton. It is registered to Helicopters Australia in W.A.
Noted (possibly for the first time in Rockhampton) on Wednesday 27 October was Singapore Flying College Cessna 510 Mustang VH-SQW. It is pictured below on one of its many touch-and-go's on Runway 15.
Meanwhile, later in the day 5 Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk helicopters passed through Rockhampton for a refuel before heading South. Two of these helicopters are pictured below parked on the apron.
Also one of the Republic of Singapore (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters is pictured below (finally!!) in the air using callsigns "Astro" and "Atom".
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