Mackay Airport
News

Motorists asked to obey airport parking laws

The Mackay Port Authority is appealing to motorists to only park in designated areas at the city’s busy airport. Acting airport operations manager Colin Wilson said some visitors were embarking on the dangerous practice of illegally..

Work starts on new airport car park facilities

Work is underway to expand car parking facilities at Mackay’s busy airport. The $2 million project will eventually add an additional 165 spaces to the new short and long-term pay-parking precincts and an extra 75 bays to the underco..

Qantaslink to expand services

The Mackay Port Authority has welcomed moves by Qantaslink to boost capacity and frequency covering its services to Brisbane and other regional centres. Qantaslink is planning to introduce a double-daily service to Brisbane using it..

MPA forced to limit access to departure lounge

Continued passenger growth has forced the Mackay Port Authority to temporarily limit the public’s access to the security departure lounge at Mackay’s busy airport. The MPA is about to embark on a major redevelopment of the security..

Airport donates lost items to Lifeline

A forgetful passenger left airport staff gobsmacked after a set of false teeth turned up in the lost property box at Mackay’s busy airport. Over the years a variety of items have been left behind or lost – some are reunited with the..

Mackay achieves record weekly passenger growth

Mackay Airport is celebrating a new milestone with a record 14 000 passengers passing through the city's award-winning terminal last week. The airport processed 14 298 passengers -- up almost 500 on the previous week's record. ..

New campaign entices visitors to Mackay

Jetstar, Mackay Tourism and the Mackay Port Authority have unveiled a high profile marketing campaign in Sydney to promote the benefits of flying direct and holidaying in the Mackay region. Following Jetstar's recent first time l..

$50 million Runway expansion plans

Record passenger growth and moves to entice international services are accelerating multi-million dollar expansion plans at Mackay Airport. The Mackay Port Authority is currently preparing a further report for the Federal Government..

Nitro sniffs out trouble at airport

Nosing through bags and boxes is all in a day's work for three-year-old Nitro - Queensland's latest weapon against airport terrorism. Nitro and handler Adam Zerner are key members of the Brisbane-based Regional Rapid Deployment Team..

The new Jetstar A320 Airbus lands in Mackay

Jetstar's latest edition to its growing fleet touched down in Mackay yesterday. The new Jetstar A320 Airbus arrives in Mackay 2 days after flying in from France The new Airbus A320 - capable of carrying 177 passengers - will repl..

North Mackay High School students help with suggestions

The Mackay Port Authority is seeking additional public feedback in a bid to improve facilities and services at its award-winning airport. Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard (left) congratulates building and construction studen..

Mackay Airport adds bomb bag to safety arsenal

Mackay Airport has taken delivery of an anti-terror shield, designed to minimise and contain the impact of bombs and other weapons. Mackay Airport operations manager Ray Waters and Sergeant John Tantalo inspect the airport's new..

Britz will help boost regional tourism

Showing a strong commitment to regional tourism in Queensland, THL Rentals opened a new branch in Mackay today, providing Britz & Backpacker vehicles for the growing number of tourists heading north. Australian sales and marketi..

Mackay Port Authority Annual Report a winner

The Mackay Port Authority has taken out a "Bronze Award" in the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA). Mackay Airport General Manager Trevor Heard looks through the award winning 2004 Annual Report. About 150 of the 300-plus entries r..

Successful anti-terrorism exercise completed

The Mackay Port Authority is planning to increase emergency response training programs after a successful anti-terrorism exercise at Mackay Airport on Wednesday. Exercise Airex 2005 involved more than 70 people covering local emerge..

Exercise puts airport on alert

Emergency services went on full alert in Mackay today after a terrorist hijacked an aircraft threatening to kill all on board. Students from Mackay State High School acted as hostages during Exercise Airex 2005 at Mackay Airport tod..

Record jump in passenger numbers

Budget-priced air fares and proactive marketing have fuelled a record jump in passenger numbers at Mackay’s award winning airport. Mackay Airport recorded its fourth consecutive increase in passenger growth last financial year with..

MPA workers lift donations to rescue chopper service

Workers at the Mackay Port Authority have taken on the challenge to further assist the CQ RESQ Helicopter Service. MPA painter Bill Dunn is happy to donate $2 a week from his pay packet. MPA employees and members of the CFMEU are..

Plastic baggage wrap protection planned for Mackay Airport

The Mackay Port Authority is investigating the use of special plastic baggage wraps in a bid to offer passengers additional security when jetting out of Mackay. Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor is supporting moves to intro..

RACQ RESQ Helicopter Open Day a great success

More than 2000 people attended the CQ Rescue Helicopter open day on Saturday, April 16. The Mackay Port Authority supported the day by providing "air-side" security, parking supervision and the connection of power to the field site...

Committee formed to improve airport ground handling

The Mackay Port Authority has formed a committee of airport operators to help improve ramp safety at Mackay Airport. The committee held its inaugural meeting today where a wide range of topics including airside driving licences and..

Low-cost fares give Easter travellers a lift

Passenger traffic soared to new heights with more than 7800 people passing through Mackay Airport during the Easter holiday break. Operations manager Ray Waters said Mackay Airport was on target to process more than 560 000 peopl..

Mackay rolls out the red carpet for new Q400

QantasLink today gave Mackay a preview of the new Bombardier Q4-00 72 seater turboprop aircraft, which is set to join the airline's regional fleet from early next year. Qantas executive general manager regional airlines Narendra Kum..

Airport undercover security carpark now open

The new undercover security carpark at Mackay Airport is now open for business. Safety officer John Muckelstone positions a "now open" sticker on the undercover security carpark development sign near the entrance to the Mackay termi..

MPA backs Mackay tourism

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard was one of the keynote speakers to address a forum of local stakeholders during Tourism Week in Mackay today. Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard addresses Tourism Week delegates i..

Consultants to examine sports relocation project

A Brisbane-based consultancy firm has won a $43 000 contract to provide the Mackay Port Authority with options that will transform a vacant parcel of land in Milton Street into a first-class sporting complex. The Place Design Group..

Pond proceeds helps rescue chopper service

Two thousand dollars fished out of the barramundi pond “wishing well” at Mackay Airport is helping the CQ Rescue Helicopter Service save lives in the Mackay district. Proceeds from the pond are shared by CQ Rescue and the Royal Flyi..

Travellers donate $1200 to tsunami appeal

Travellers and workers at Mackay Airport have given with their hearts to bolster The Daily Mercury Tsunami Relief Appeal to the tune of $1275. Mackay Port Authority communications manager Colin Wilson said passengers have been shock..

Passenger throughput soars above half a million

Competition -- fuelled by budget-priced air fares -- has helped Mackay Airport achieve a passenger milestone, with more than half a million people passing through the city’s airport last year. Mackay Airport processed 505 762 passen..

Undercover security carpark to open in late January

The new undercover security carpark at Mackay Airport is expected to be open for business by the end of January. The 67 bay facility will lift secure and public car parking spaces to more than 500. Until the official opening..

Sharp objects should be stored in check-in luggage

Festive air travellers are being encouraged to safely store Christmas presents in their check-in luggage, or risk losing them, under strict security screening regulations at Mackay Airport. About 50 000 passengers are expected to pa..

New 'Early Bird' service lifts off in Mackay

Virgin Blue’s new 6.10 service jetted into Brisbane this morning with only 17 spare seats. Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said the MPA and Virgin were delighted by the public response. The airport fire se..

Airport scissors go to local schools

More than 200 pairs scissors seized by security at Mackay Airport will soon be put to good use at two local primary schools. The Mackay Port Authority has donated the scissors and 250 nail files to the Slade Point and Central State..

Tim Mulherin supports poster campaign

Speech to parliament by Tim Mulherin MP Member for Mackay On Thursday, October 28, I had the privilege to attend the Daniel Morcombe poster campaign launch at Mackay Airport. 14 year-old Daniel Morcombe’s disappearance from a Sun..

Nugget owner found

Barry Dunn wasn’t looking forward to celebrating his 66th birthday today – despite travelling from Central Queensland to have a few beers with his long-lost mates in Sydney. Barry – a gold trader and shop owner in the mining town of..

Nugget left behind at Airport

Security officers couldn’t believe their eyes when a gold nugget surfaced during a security x-ray baggage check at Mackay’s busy airport yesterday. The Group 4 officers were even more shocked when nobody claimed the precious rock. ..

Circuit breaker replaced

The Mackay Port Authority has replaced a circuit breaker that protects the main runway lights, after a safety switch “tripped” blacking out the runway on Saturday night. Technicians today installed the new circuit breaker, despite t..

More tests on runway lights

Electricians will conduct more diagnostic test tomorrow in a bid to determine what tripped a circuit breaker that protects the main runway lights at Mackay Airport. The runway lights blacked out just after 7 p.m. on Saturd..

New public bays open at Mackay Airport

An additional 44 bays in the new $2.3 million airport car park expansion program are now open to the public. More public spaces will come on line next month with the completion of the 67-bay undercover security car park. The secu..

MPA supports Morcombe campaign

The distraught parents of missing Sunshine Coast school boy Daniel Morcombe are hoping Queensland airport operators will embrace a poster campaign launched at Mackay Airport today. Mackay Port Authority has joined forces with the..

New car park to open soon

Parking at Mackay’s award-winning airport will soon be made easier with an additional 130 public and security spaces coming on line in the run up to the busy festive season. Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the Mackay Port..

Virgin to start 'Early Bird' service

The Mackay Port Authority (MPA) has been successful in negotiating the reintroduction of an ‘early bird’ passenger service between Mackay and Brisbane. Virginblue today announced it would start the new 6.10 a.m. service on November..

New push for early bird service

The Mackay Port Authority (MPA) and Mackay City Council have joined forces with the business community to entice a major airline to resume an early morning passenger service. Mackay City Council yesterday agreed to back an ince..

Allan Young to head consultative group

Allan Young has been elected chairman of the Mackay Port Authority’s Sports Field Relocation Consultative Committee. Mr Young – executive officer of the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation – was elected to ch..

Police could soon tune into Airport cameras

The Mackay Port Authority is seeking more information to determine if security cameras at the city’s busy airport can be linked to Mackay police station. The Federal Government has announced a $48 million package to improve security..

Preschoolers Enjoy Airport Tour

Thirty-four children from Eimeo Road State Pre-School enjoyed an exciting visit to Mackay Airport. The visit was part of the youngster's introduction to transport activities Children from the pre-school's Starfish and Turtle units w..

Smell sparks precautionary landing

Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators have launched a probe into an incident in which a passenger jet made a precautionary landing at Mackay Airport on Monday evening. Passengers begin to emerge from the aircraft aft..

Regional Mackay goes on display

The Mackay Port Authority and the Department of State Development and Innovation are joining forces to give regional councils and tourism groups a voice at the Queensland Mining Exhibition. Inspecting the Mackay Port Authority displ..

Direct Sydney service jets into Mackay

Low-cost carrier Jetstar has started directed flights between Sydney and Mackay. The first passengers touched down in Mackay on Wednesday, July 21. The aircraft was given a “water guard of honour” by the airport’s fire engines. ..

Sports groups examine relocation discussion paper

Mackay’s soccer and hockey associations are examining a proposal that could give more than 3000 players a new home. The Mackay Port Authority has released a discussion paper outlining plans to relocate the two sports from Barbour Pa..

Safety concerns drive sport field move

The Mackay Port Authority is seeking community support in developing a top class sports complex that will give hockey and soccer a safer new home in Mackay. The MPA has started the ball rolling with the purchase of a large parcel of..

Jetstar touches down in Mackay

Grey skies failed to dampen the enthusiasm of passengers and airline staff when Jetstar’s first Brisbane-Mackay service landed at 7.35 this morning. The Mackay service was included in Jetstar’s official launch with flights to 1..

Jetstar Uniforms Launched in Mackay

Jetstar's commercial head Bruce Buchanan officially launched the low-cost carrier's new uniforms in Mackay today. Mr Buchanan and other executives are in Mackay over the next two days to give the community a preview of what the a..

Trevor jets off to Guam

Mackay Airport general manager Trevor Heard jets out of Mackay tomorrow for an international airport conference in Guam. Mackay Airport manager Trevor Heard examines the Guam itinerary with airport co-ordinator Ray Waters. The si..

Jetstar makes a smooth landing

Qantas’ new low cost-carrier Jetstar touched down on a promotional tour to Mackay this afternoon. Jetstar Captain Sean Wallace and Frst Officer Bruce Terry arrive in Mackay today. Key Jetstar executives will give a special presen..

Airport examines biometric options

The Mackay Port Authority is exploring the use of biometrics, as the city’s airport moves to keep pace with global advances in security technology. Airport general manager Trevor Heard is currently researching the use of iris, face..

Minister inspects ports

Transport Minister Paul Lucas today inspected Mackay’s airport and harbour facilities as part of a two day visit to the region. Inspecting the barra pond at Mackay Airport are (from left) Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin, Transport an..

Kites cause concern

The Mackay Port Authority is appealing to people not to fly kites in the vicinity of the airport, after youngsters unwittingly put security officers on alert this week. Air traffic controllers called in airport security after spotti..

1250 injury-free workdays a milestone for the Airport

Mackay Airport workers are celebrating a milestone today after recording 1250 injury-free work days. Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the record was a fantastic achievement. Taking a break during the construction o..

Time is running out to secure 6 a.m. service

The Mackay Port Authority is concerned that time is quickly running out to entice Virgin into introducing a dawn service to Brisbane. Virginblue's Robert D'Alessio (left) and Peter Bailey discuss new opportunities for the low-cost c..

Airport Safety Inspection

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has completed a detailed audit of Mackay Airport. General manager Trevor Heard said the airport passed the operational review with flying colours. Andrew Stewart and Ken Oehlerich inspect a pla..

Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister visit Mackay

Prime Minister John Howard and his deputy John Anderson met with about 700 cane growers and their families at a cane farm in Mackay on Saturday. Mr Howard spent about three hours in Mackay speaking to farmers about the plight of the..

Virgin seeks community support for early morning service

The Mackay Port Authority has held talks with low-cost carrier Virginblue in a bid to secure an early morning Brisbane service for the city. Qantas has announced it will withdraw the 6 a.m. Mackay-Brisbane flight with the introducti..

Motorists are ignoring set down rank restrictions

The Mackay Port Authority fears somebody could be seriously injured, if motorists continue to ignore parking restrictions at the city’s busy airport. The MPA is alarmed at a number of near misses involving passengers, alighting from..

Rescue chopper to benefit from barra pond

The Mackay Port Authority is backing a community appeal to raise vital funds for the CQ Rescue Helicopter Service. CQ Rescue will now join the Royal Flying Doctor Service in counting the proceeds fished from the barramundi pond at M..

Push on to retain 'red eye' service

The Mackay Port Authority is continuing to lobby the airlines to provide an early morning week-day business service to Brisbane. Qantas has announced that it will withdraw the 6 a.m. flight, when its low-cost carrier Jetstar touc..

Jetstar announces direct Sydney services

An attractive incentive package by the Mackay Port Authority has encouraged new low cost carrier Jetstar to introduce direct services from Sydney to Mackay. Jetstar announced today the services will start in July with direct flights..

Aircraft noise has little impact

The Mackay Port Authority has released details of a major environmental survey that examined more than 15 million pieces of information in a bid to gauge aircraft noise levels over the city. Data was collected from a total of 54 sit..

Deputy PM in Mackay

The Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson met with a number of local delegations in the board room at Mackay Airport recently. Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly field questions from the media at a..

Safety initiatives discussed

The Mackay Port Authority has received an informal briefing on an investigation into an incident involving a passenger jet that came within 200 metres of touching down on Broadsound Road in May last year. Deputy director of air safe..

Strobe lights improve safety

Safety at Mackay Airport has been enhanced with the installation of a new $35,000 runway lighting system. MPA electrician Travis O'Brien makes a final adjustment on the new threshold strobe lights on Runway 14. The runway thresho..

Record passenger growth

Mackay Port Authority has achieved another milestone with more than 400 000 passengers, passing through Mackay Airport in 2003. The airport is experiencing record growth, handling a total of 400 118 passengers last year. “This..

Car Park Damage

Mackay police are examining security camera footage after three vehicles were damaged and ransacked at Mackay Airport on Tuesday night (December 30). Constable Jacqueline Notley prepares to examine a smashed window of a Nissan Patro..

New parking restrictions for Mackay airport

The Mackay Port Authority is appealing to motorists to respect new parking restrictions at Mackay’s award winning airport. Mackay Airport acting co-ordinator Greg Coad and security officer Col Bourne with the new parking signs now e..

Mackay Airport welcomes Government funds for security improv..

The Mackay Port Authority has welcomed the Federal Government’s move to improve security at airports in Central Queensland. Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly confirmed today that $93 million dollars will be channelled into a major exp..

Mackay Port Authority embarks on Tree Lopping program

The Mackay Port Authority is urging Mackay residents to closely examine the variety of trees they plant in their yards. The MPA is about to embark on another tree lopping program in South and West Mackay to ensure its runway operati..

$65,000 marketing campaign to lure southern holidaymakers to..

Mackay and the Whitsundays are starting to reap the rewards of a $65 000 marketing campaign aimed at luring southern holidaymakers to the region. The Mackay Port Authority (MPA) and low-cost carrier Virginblue have just completed a..

Bowen Shire backs MPA plans to attract international flights..

The progressive North Queensland shire of Bowen has thrown its weight behind plans by the Mackay Port Authority to attract direct international flights from New Zealand. The Mackay City Council this week pledged $75 000 to help unde..

Mackay City Council to help underwrite international flights..

The Mackay Port Authority has welcomed moves by Mackay City Council to help underwrite direct international flights between New Zealand and Mackay. Mackay City Council this morning agreed to support the Auckland-Mackay route to the tun..

New runway safety lighting system on it's way

The Mackay Port Authority is proceeding with plans to install an additional runway lighting safety system that’ll further assist pilots in identifying the Mackay runway in poor weather conditions. The new threshold identification li..

Mackay Port Authority airport manager Trevor Heard has been..

Mr Heard was singled out for special praise at the Mackay Region Industry and Tourism Awards in Mackay on Saturday, October 4. Mackay Airport manager Trevor Heard proudly displays his award. He is joined (from left) by Mackay Port A..

Mackay Airport stages a simulated crash excercise

A simulated crash exercise at Mackay Airport involving emergency services has been hailed as a success. The mock disaster, involving the runway crash of a passenger jet with 107 people on board, was held between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on..

Airport Safety Initiative

Global aviation maps and manuals will soon carry a detailed warning designed to keep unwary pilots on course when making night time landings at Mackay Airport. The new safety initiative by the Mackay Port Authority follows a potentiall..

Airport Incentive Update

The Mackay Port Authority and the nation’s two major airlines are joining forces to attract more southern holidaymakers to Mackay and the Whitsundays. Qantas and Virgin Blue have committed to an $80,000 campaign that’ll saturate Syd..

Qantas and Virgin Blue's $80,000 'Spring into Mackay' Campai..

The Mackay Port Authority and the nation’s two major airlines are joining forces to attract more southern holidaymakers to Mackay and the Whitsundays. Qantas and Virgin Blue have committed to an $80,000 campaign that’ll saturate Sydney..