# Launceston Airport

Launceston Airport (IATA: LST, ICAO: YMLT) is a regional airport on the outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania. The airport is located in the industrial area of Western Junction, 15 kilometres from Launceston city centre. It is Tasmania's second busiest after Hobart.
In the 2023/24 financial year, the airport recorded 1.4 million passenger movements. It is Australia's 13th busiest airport.

## History

After the formation of the Tasmanian Aero Club in 1927, the first air travel facility in Tasmania was built on the site. In July 1929 the Home Territories Department acquired land at the Western Junction, then also called Valley of Springs, for a £20,400 ($41,000) aerodrome. The Western Junction Aerodrome was officially opened in 1929, and opened for use in 1930. In February 1931, around 20,000 people crammed into Evandale Road to watch Colonel Brinsmead, Controller of Civil Aviation, officially open Western Junction as a government aerodrome. During 1932, small aircraft flew from Launceston to Flinders Island.
From August 1940 until late 1944, the airport was used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a base for No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School. It was Tasmania's only RAAF Base. Two of the Bellman hangars from this period are still located at the airport, on the southern Freight and General Aviation operations area.
In 1962, under the leadership of Tony John, a plan for major redevelopment of the airport was approved. This included strengthening of all pavements, a runway extension, and a new two storey terminal building built by Hansen Yuncken. The airport was officially reopened that same year as Launceston Airport. In October 1982 the runway was further upgraded to accommodate Boeing 767s.
In 1998, the airport was privatised, and is now owned jointly by Launceston City Council and Australia Pacific Airports Corporation. The collapse of Ansett Australia in 2001, the introduction of Virgin Blue and Jetstar in 2001 and 2004; and the creation of the Australian low-cost airline market; have all contributed to a dramatic increase in aircraft movements at Launceston Airport. Tiger Airways Australia also introduced services, and withdrew again in July 2010 as did Bonza Airlines in 2024.

## Terminal

In 2009 a A$20m expansion program commenced that included two new gate lounges and two new baggage carousels and a 1000m² expansion of the main landside passenger lounge, with views of the apron and runway. The redeveloped terminal was officially opened on 12 March 2010 by the Premier of Tasmania, David Bartlett.
In 2022 Launceston Airport commenced a A$100m redevelopment, the largest expansion in its history. The project includes expansion of the Check-in Hall, security area, new food and beverage outlets, expansion of the Launceston Store and a larger Arrivals Hall to be rolled out within five years.
The airport currently has a bar; Ben's Bar; two café outlets; Arthur's Cafe and Stack's Spot; a temporary cafe in Arrivals, The Barrow and The Launceston Store which sells both convenience items and stocks the very best of Tasmanian artisan produce, wine, spirits, art, craft and gifts.
In August 2023, the new check-in hall opened, commencing the first stage of the airport's infrastructure development to improve the passenger experience.
Supported by the State and Federal governments, the project doubled the size of the airport’s check-in hall, with an additional 650 square metres offering space for self-check-in equipment and an easier security experience.
The 13th of December 2023 marked the completion of the first phase in the terminal expansion, with new state-of-the-art security screening technology becoming available for airport visitors.

## Airlines and destinations

The Qantas Group is the dominant operator at Launceston airport, with Jetstar operating up to six daily flights to/from Melbourne, up to two daily flights to/from Sydney and up to one daily flight to/from Brisbane throughout the year. QantasLink operates up to four flights daily to/from Melbourne, up to two daily flights to/from Sydney and seasonal services to/from Brisbane. Virgin Australia operates up to four daily flights to/from Melbourne, one daily flight to/from Sydney, between four and seven flights per week to/from Brisbane as well as a number of seasonal flights to/from Adelaide and Perth.
Sharp Airlines offer up to three flights a day to Flinders Island and up to two flights a day to King Island via Burnie.
Airlines of Tasmania provide twice weekly services to both Cape Barren Island and Hobart, in addition to light aircraft charter.
Bonza commenced flights to and from the Gold Coast in November 2023, with flights departing regularly all year round. Flights to and from the Sunshine Coast commenced in March 2024, before the airline ceased a month later.

### Passenger

| Airlines | Destinations |
| Airlines of Tasmania | Cape Barren Island, Flinders Island, Hobart–Cambridge |
| Jetstar | Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney |
| QantasLink | Melbourne, Sydney Seasonal: Brisbane |
| Sharp Airlines | Burnie, Flinders Island, Hobart, King Island |
| Virgin Australia | Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney Seasonal: Adelaide, Perth |

### Cargo

| Airlines | Destinations |
| Qantas Freight | Hobart, Melbourne |
| Team Global Express | Melbourne |

## Traffic and statistics

Launceston Airport's passenger numbers have increased dramatically in recent years, significantly exceeding the airports forecasts in the Airport Master Plan 2005. The passenger numbers achieved in the 2007-08 fiscal year were not anticipated until at least fiscal year 2019–20.

### Statistics

Statistics for Launceston Airport :
| Year | Total passengers | Aircraft movements |
| 1995-96 | 595,881 | |
| 1996-97 | 586,661 | |
| 1997-98 | 544,185 | |
| 1998-99 | 520,000 | |
| 1999-00 | 540,000 | 27,600 |
| 2000-01 | 520,000 | 26,400 |
| 2001-02 | 530,000 | 21,600 |
| 2002-03 | 580,000 | 14,900 |
| 2003-04 | 670,000 | 15,300 |
| 2004-05 | 820,000 | 15,000 |
| 2005-06 | 920,000 | 15,000 |
| 2006-07 | 990,000 | 14,500 |
| 2007-08 | 1,106,000 |
| 2008-09 | 1,127,000 |
| 2009-10 | 1,131,000 |
| 2010-11 | 1,156,000 |
| 2011-12 | 1,130,000 |
| 2012-13 | 1,184,000 |
| 2013-14 | 1,278,000 |
| 2014-15 | 1,293,000 |
| 2015-16 | 1,320,952 |
| 2016-17 | 1,335,133 |
| 2017-18 | 1,362,700 |
| 2018-19 | 1,390,909 |
| 2019-20 | 1,010,713 |
| 2020-21 | 541,914 |
| 2021-22 | 745,621 |
| 2022-23 | 1,295,173 |
| 2023-24 | 1,424,000 |

### Operations

Busiest Domestic Passenger Routes out of Launceston Airport (Year ending June 2019) :
| Rank | Airport | Passengers handled |
| 1 | Melbourne | 962,363 |
| 2 | Sydney | 288,999 |

## Access

Primary access to Launceston Airport is via private vehicles. Launceston Airport has a short stay, four long stay and a premium undercover car park. Public transport is not provided between Launceston Airport and the City of Launceston. Numerous taxi services are available as well as Uber from in front of the terminal.
Tassielink Transit bus route "Evandale-Perth-Longford- Cressy" formerly had three daily buses calling on Evandale Road outside Launceston Airport, which were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic. The closest currently operational bus stop is 34 minutes away, at Hobart Road cnr Raeburn Road, with several daily services to Launceston and various regional towns.

## Accidents and incidents

On 29 May 2003, Qantas Flight 1737 en route from Melbourne Airport was involved in an attempted hijacking shortly after takeoff. The would-be hijacker, a passenger named David Robinson, intended to fly the aircraft into the Walls of Jerusalem National Park located in central Tasmania. The flight attendants and passengers successfully subdued and restrained Robinson, and the aircraft returned to Melbourne, where it landed safely.