Coffs Harbour Airport | |||||||||||||||
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 View of the airport terminal from the runway | |||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||
| Owner | Coffs Harbour City Council | ||||||||||||||
| Operator | Palisade Investment Partners | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Coffs Harbour | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 18 ft / 5 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 30°19′12″S153°07′00″E / 30.32000°S 153.11667°E /-30.32000; 153.11667 | ||||||||||||||
| Website | www.coffsharbourairport.com | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
  YCFS Location in New South Wales | |||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2021–22) | |||||||||||||||
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| Sources:AIP,[1] Aircraft movements from Airservices Australia[2] | |||||||||||||||
Coffs Harbour Airport (IATA:CFS,ICAO:YCFS) (formerly ICAO code of YSCH until November 2007) is the only airport serving theCity of Coffs Harbour, in theNew South WalesMid North Coast region in Australia. The airport is located 3 km (1.9 mi) south ofCoffs Harbour and is one of the busiest regional airports in the state, serving flights to the east coast capital cities, as well as some regional destinations. Coffs Harbour Airport has the capacity to handle large aircraft such as theBoeing 767 orBoeing 777 but is predominately served by regional airlines using smaller aircraft.
In 2021–22 the airport handled 17,662 total aircraft movements. The terminal handled a record 413,103 passengers in the 2017–18 financial year,[3] making it the22nd busiest airport in Australia.[4] However, the impacts of travel restrictions in response to theCOVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant reduction in revenue passengers, with the airport handling 178,514 during 2021–22, falling to the 28th busiest airport.
The airport was established by the council in 1928. It was requisitioned by theRoyal Australian Air Force duringWorld War II for the purposes of an airbase for anti-submarine patrols.No. 71 Squadron and 'C' FlightNo. 73 Squadron operated from the base from 1943 until being disbanded in late 1944. No. 12 Operational Base Unit maintained and serviced the airfield during its operation. A number of bunkers associated with the RAAF's occupation exist near the airfield, including one which has been repurposed as a gallery containing a large collection ofcartoon art.[5]
With the introduction ofFokker F28 regional jets byAirlines of New South Wales in 1983, Coffs Harbour was identified by thefederal government as one of six regional centres in the state to receive airport upgrades to support their operation. These works were estimated to cost $9.6 million, involving the construction of a new runway, taxiways, apron and terminal building, and an air traffic control tower, all expected to be completed by September 1985. Projections at this time were that the airport would handle in excess of 26,000 aircraft movements and 112,000 passengers by the year 2000.[6]
In August 1999 the runway was widened from 30 to 45 metres to accommodateBoeing 767s.[7]
From the early 2000s, the airport became a regular destination for training flights by cadets from theSingapore Flying College, owing to its favourable weather, surrounding high terrain and air traffic control facilities.[8]
In 2015, Coffs Harbour Airport secured funding from theGovernment of New South Wales to expand the apron space to allow more parking for narrowbody jet aircraft, as well as upgrades to the security screening and baggage facilities.[9] These works increased the number of parking bays at the terminal from three to five, which can be occupied simultaneously.[10]
In late 2020, theCity of Coffs Harbour entered into a 50-year agreement, leasing the airport to Palisade Investment Partners to operate and develop the airport. This agreement included the development of the 23 ha (57 acres) Airport Enterprise Park, adjacent to thegeneral aviation facilities north of the main terminal.[11] This construction resulted in the permanent closure of taxiway E5, which was equipped with edge lighting to facilitate the movement of aircraft to the general aviation area at night. During construction, the smaller runway 10/28 was also closed, fueling speculation that it too would be permanently closed and converted to a taxiway. While this was denied by the airport's management, it was conceded that the future of the runway was under review, with safety given priority over development.[12]
Coffs Harbour Airport is one of the few regional airports in New South Wales to have an Air Traffic Control tower, as well asAircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) capabilities, however both of these services generally operate during daylight hours only. When the tower is closed, pilots are required to communicate via aCommon Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to safely co-ordinate arrivals and departures. Airline operations are limited to the main runway, 03/21, which measures 2,080 m × 45 m (6,824 ft × 148 ft) and can be used forinstrument approach procedures. The secondary runway, 10/28, does not provide any lighting or approach guidance and is only suitable for aircraft under amaximum takeoff weight of 5,700 kg (12,600 lb).[1]
Inside the terminal is a small Qantas Regional Lounge, accessible to Qantas Club and frequent flyer program members,[13] There are two cafes in the public departures lounge, and freeWi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.[14] The airport offers both open air and undercover secure paid parking.[15][16] Immediately north of the main terminal is a smaller charter terminal that does not provide security screening.[1]
The general aviation area, located north of runway 10/28 supports airport related businesses including aircraft maintenance providers, a bulk fuel storage facility, flight training, andfixed-base operators. There are also a number of community organisations and emergency services located in this precinct, including local units of theAustralian Air Force Cadets andAustralian Air League, the Coffs Harbour Aero Club, aNew South Wales Rural Fire Service control centre and facilities for aero medical operators.[17]
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Link Airways | Brisbane[18] Seasonal:Canberra[19] |
| QantasLink | Melbourne,[20]Sydney |
| Rex Airlines | Sydney |
| Year[3] | Total passengers | Aircraft movements |
|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | 341,116 | 6,928 |
| 2011–12 | 336,369 | 5,983 |
| 2012–13 | 357,624 | 5,863 |
| 2013–14 | 383,051 | 5,925 |
| 2014–15 | 354,212 | 5,572 |
| 2015–16 | 375,530 | 5,708 |
| 2016–17 | 405,624 | 6,151 |
| 2017–18 | 413,103 | 5,865 |
| 2018–19 | 396,392 | 5,720 |
| 2019–20 | 289,116 | 4,560 |
| 2020–21 | 130,262 | 3,826 |
| 2021–22 | 178,514 | 4,835 |
| Rank | Airport | Passengers | % change | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  New South Wales,Sydney Airport | 113,002 |  4.5 | QantasLink, Rex |
| 2 |  Victoria,Melbourne Airport | no data yet | no data yet | QantasLink |
| 3 |  Queensland,Brisbane Airport | no data yet | no data yet | Link Airways |
Forest Coach Lines route 364 provides a regular local bus service linking the airport with the Coffs town centre as well as the southern suburbs ofToormina andSawtell.[22] Local taxis are also available from the airport, while the a number of regional coach services connect the airport to the surrounding region via thePacific Highway.
