Airport

Lockhart River Aerodrome Company

The airport is operated by the Lockhart River Aerodrome Company Pty Ltd, which is owned by the Lockhart River Shire Council.  Operating as an independent entity, the Lockhart River Aerodrome Company also operates the Iron Range Cabins and sells both aviation and diesel fuels.

Lockhart River boasts a 1500m sealed and secure, all weather runway.  Due to the installation of pilot activated lights, the airport can now be accessed 24 hours a day.  During the wet season when road access can be cut off for months, the airport plays a key role in getting vital supplies and services into the community.

In 2018, work commenced to construct a new 100 sq.m. terminal building that has provided a 40 seat seating area, a secure luggage/air freight enclosure, indoor and outdoor waiting areas for and a toilet with disabled facilities. Situated next to the old terminal building, there is provision to extend the new terminal in the future.

It is envisaged the old terminal building, which was originally established when the airport was constructed by American troops during World War II, will be retained for future use as a museum/arts and culture centre.  Plans are afoot to decorate the exterior walls with colourful murals painted by local artists.

The council provides all maintenance required for the airport runway.  This is a task that the Engineering Services Department takes very seriously, as maintaining the runway and its approaches to the highest of standards is imperative to ensure the safety of all aircraft, passengers and other visitors to the airport.

Maintenance activities include laying surface directional markings on the runway and taxiway, repairing wear and tear on the runway itself and regularly inspecting the runway and its approaches, and clearing obstacles such as tree branches and other detritus posing a hazard for aircraft.

Skytrans provides a passenger service to and from Cairns each week day.  When combined with the influx of government and private charters, tourist groups and planes that need to refuel, the airport averages about 200 landings per month.

The Lockhart River Airport is located five kilometres from the Lockhart River community.  Within the existing terminal there are passenger processing, ticketing and toilet facilities.

For more information, please contact the onsite manager, Bob Brown on 07 4060 7121.

Contact Details

Lockhart River Aerodrome Company