Mackay Port Authority Airport Safety Inspection Article first published on Wednesday, 7 April 2004 @ 11:06:19 AM

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 plan of Mackay Airport with Steve Ahwang and Ray Waters from the Mackay Port Authority.

The CASA audit follows an annual safety inspection by independent airport and aviation consultant Aerodrome Operation Support.

Director Ken Oehlerich said Mackay Airport was being maintained to a very high standard and continued to meet current safety standards in the operation and maintenance of the facilities.

Mackay Airport is operated by the Mackay Port Authority and in 2002 was judged the best regional airport in Australia.

Mr Heard was pleased with findings of the detailed safety and operational reports.

“These reports reinforce what we have known all along that Mackay Airport is rated as an aviation leader,” he said.

“We are proud of this record but there is always room for improvement.

“Our goal is to provide airport users with a modern, safe, proactive facility and at the same time we will continue to lobby all airlines for new services that will offer passengers low-priced air fares.”

Mr Heard said the MPA had provided the airlines with more than $3 million in special incentives over the past two-and-a-half years to jet into Mackay.

“Mackay will soon reap the benefits of Qantas’ low-cost carrier Jetstar that will start services into the city next month,” he said.

“In July, Jetstar will operate four direct services between Sydney and Mackay, starting at $119 one way and hopefully next year Virgin will start a new direct service between Auckland and the city.”