Hobart Airport welcomes C-17 flights

Hobart Airport welcomed the return of a C-17 flight between Hobart Airport and Wilkins Runway in Antarctica, which has demonstrated the enormous potential improved access with the southern continent.

Hobart Airport CEO, Rod Parry said this is an exciting period of trial operations for the Australian Antarctic Program and we are very excited and proud of their achievements to date.

“These trails are demonstrating and proving the opportunities this type of heavy lift aviation operations can deliver for Australian but also other Antarctic programs basing from Hobart,” Mr Parry said.

“The C-17 flight, which returned last night, brought with it a large tractor to Hobart for maintenance.

“This new capability opens the door to future growth opportunities for the Antarctic sector. The sector is supported by many Tasmanian businesses who provide expertise in Antarctic and cold weather operations.”

Chairman of the Tasmanian Polar Network, John Brennan said the ability to undertake heavy lift cargo in and out of Antarctica is a redefining moment for the sector.

“It will provide efficiencies and further strengthen the commercial and scientific opportunities our Antarctic gateway has to offer,” Mr Brennan said.

Until now, all large scale, heavy scientific and operational equipment and vehicles have been transported to and from Antarctica by the icebreaker Aurora Australis, taking up to twelve months before returning serviced equipment south.

The C-17 provides the Australian Antarctic Division with an ability to move large machinery and science equipment to and from Antarctica in one season within the space of weeks.

Hobart Airport has been an aviation gateway way to the Antarctic since 2006 and is proud to host the current A319 operations that leave from Hobart each summer.

The A319 is critical in providing an aviation link between Australia and East Antarctica, and augmenting this passenger focused service with a heavy lift capability is an exciting development.

The Airport runway extension will enable aircraft such as the C-17 to operate heavier payloads improving capability of these types of operations and positioning Hobart as the major international Antarctic gateway.
Melinda Percival