On 10 August 2010, Council resolved to make the Illawarra Regional Airport Stage 1 Flight Operational Capacity Study available on the Council website for information. The study will form a basis for development of a business plan and masterplan for the airport.
Click here to go to the Airport Study page of Shellharbour City Council's website.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE STUDY
INTRODUCTION
The original and current airport masterplan was prepared in 1990. The development works identified on this plan have been substantially completed and a new masterplan is required to take the airport into the future.
There has been considerable change in the aviation industry during this period, particularly with the major airlines introducing a low cost business model, which has created significant growth in passenger numbers. This model has been highly successful in both international and interstate travel and, together with strong competition between the airline operators, has also created a more competitive pricing structure.
More recently, airlines are focusing on the larger regional areas to encourage passenger growth. Smaller aircraft, capable of seating 70-100 passengers and able to operate off the shorter runways that exist at regional airports, are being purchased by airline operators to provide services between regional areas and popular destinations.