Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorNorth Queensland Airports Group
ServesCairns
LocationAeroglen, Queensland, Australia
Hub forASL Airlines Australia
Operating base for
Elevation AMSL10 ft (3.0 m)
Coordinates16°53′09″S 145°45′19″E / 16.88583°S 145.75528°E / -16.88583; 145.75528
Websitecairnsairport.com.au
Map
Interactive map of Cairns Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
15/33 3,156 10,354 Asphalt
Statistics
Passenger movements (2025)Increase 4,875,487[1]
Aircraft movements (2016/2017)Increase 56,526
Source: AIP[2] Enroute Supplement[3]
passenger and aircraft movements from the Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics[4]

Cairns Airport (IATA: CNS, ICAO: YBCS) is an international airport in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It is the seventh busiest airport in Australia. The airport is located 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of the Cairns central business district in the suburb of Aeroglen. The airport lies between Mount Whitfield to the west and Trinity Bay to the east.

The airport has direct flights to 10 international and 27 domestic destinations and many general aviation flights including a number of helicopter operators. Flights are operated to all major Australian cities and tourist destinations, regional communities in Far North Queensland, and a number of international destinations in the Asia-Pacific region with connections to the rest of the world. The airport formed the main base for Australian Airlines prior to its ceasing of operations in June 2006. It is also a base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the search and rescue helicopters. Over 4.8 million passengers used the airport in 2023/24.

Owned by the Government of Queensland, it is leased to JPMorgan Asset Management under a 99-year lease.

History

Apron view of the international terminal in 2024

During the late 1930s, the Federal Government purchased an existing aerodrome in Cairns from the local council, placing it under the control of the Department of Civil Aviation.[5] During World War II, the airport was used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from 1941 onwards. In 1942, the RAAF established the 25th Operational Base Unit at Cairns, who developed it as a refuelling point for military aircraft. Surfacing and extending the main runway to support these operations was completed during 1943.[6] The airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces as a transport base, with the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron (374th Troop Carrier Group) operating from the base during 1942 and 1943.[6] In 1949, the main runway was lengthened to 1,730 m (5,680 ft) to accommodate larger aircraft.[7]

Between 1940 and 1951, over £1 million was spent on upgrades to the airport, which by that time handled 11 scheduled aircraft movements per day and maintained a fire service, a meteorological office, an air traffic control tower and its own power station.[5] The DCA further planned to install an Instrument Landing System on the main runway.[5] Ahead of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, the Olympic flame was carried from Athens to Cairns aboard a Qantas airliner,[8] where the torch relay began.[9]

During the mid-1960s, the airport was upgraded and the runway further lengthened to 2,020 m (6,630 ft) and strengthened so jets could land.[7]

During the 1970s, Australia's two domestic airlines Trans Australia Airlines and Ansett provided regular scheduled services to most Australian capital cities and also Papua New Guinea, while in 1975 Air Niugini became the first international airline to commence flights out of Cairns, to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. In 1982, redevelopment of the airport commenced. This involved further lengthening of the runway to 2,600 m (8,500 ft) (making it the longest runway in Queensland) and construction of a new terminal building. The first stage of the redevelopment was finished in 1984 and a dual International and Domestic Terminal was opened.[10]

At the end of the 1980s the second stage of redevelopment was completed. This included a new separate International Terminal, associated aprons and taxiways, costing an estimated $80 million. The main runway was again extended, to 3,196 m (10,486 ft). The third stage of redevelopment was completed in 1997, during which a three-storey Airport Administration Centre was constructed providing 4,000 m2 (43,000 sq ft) of office space.[11]

A $200 million redevelopment of the Domestic Terminal started in August 2007 and was completed in 2010.[12] Check-in facilities were expanded into a common-user facility for all airlines, and the building enlarged. Five new jet bridges replaced the existing three old bridges.

In December 2008, the Government of Queensland sold a 99-year lease to North Queensland Airports, a consortium of JPMorgan Asset Management, Westpac, the Private Capital Group and Perron Group.[13][14] In January 2010 Auckland International Airport Limited (AIA) purchased Westpac's 25% shareholding.[15][16] In March 2018, AIA sold its stake to the other shareholders with JPMorgan having 66%, the Infrastructure Fund 27% and Perron Group 7%.[17][18]

A further upgrade of the Domestic Terminal commenced in 2019 and was completed in August 2020, at a total cost of $55 million.[19][20][21] The main purpose of the upgrade was to prepare the terminal to handle the domestic portion of the airport's projected 6 million passengers annually from 2027.[19] The floor area of the departure hall was increased to 10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft), and an additional 2,000 m2 (22,000 sq ft) of dining and retail facilities were added.[19] The upgrade also included expanded seating areas, a new interactive children's play screen, an upgraded Parenting Room, and a new Quiet Room.[20]

Virgin Australia launched daily direct service to Tokyo-Haneda on 28 June 2023 with Boeing 737 MAX 8s.[22][23] However, due to low demand, the route ceased on 24 February 2025.[24]

In early 2023, it was announced that the International Terminal (Terminal 1) would undergo its first major upgrade in April 2023 to a value of $55 million.[25] The announced upgrades would be rolled out in stages to 'minimise passenger disruptions', the first of which would feature the installation of four new glass air-bridges and the re-cladding of the exterior of the building.[25]

In December 2023, the airport was affected by Cyclone Jasper forcing it to close for several days.[26][27] In March 2024, it was announced that both Cairns and Mackay Airports would run on 100% renewable energy sources from 2025.[28][27]

In August 2025, JP Morgan increased it shareholding to 100%.[29]

Facilities

Terminals

International Terminal check-in after 2024 upgrade

The airport has two passenger terminals on the eastern side of the airport on reclaimed mangrove swamp. They are approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the Cairns Central Shopping Centre and situated on Airport Avenue off Sheridan Street (Captain Cook Highway). The terminals are in separate buildings 200 m (660 ft) from one another. The Domestic Terminal is number 2, and has five jet bridges and 17 gates. The International Terminal is number 1, and has six jet bridges and ten gates in total.[30]

A large and dedicated air-freight terminal termed the: 'Cairns Regional Trade Distribution Centre' was announced by the Queensland State Government Ministers in 2022. This facility will feature a 2400 square meter freight logistics hub and aim to improve the $40.4 million in food and agricultural exports through the airport.[31][32] This is situated partially atop the former general aviation runway 12/30.

Paronamic view of Cairns Airport, including airplanes of Qantas, QantasLink, Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand

Runways

The airport has a single runway (15/33) which is 3,156 m (10,354 ft) long. The flight path to the north of the main runway is located directly overhead Cairns' northern beach suburbs. The flight path to the south is located directly over central Cairns. A smaller (925 m (3,035 ft)) runway 12/30 that was used for general aviation lies to the east; its final approach crossed the main runway. As of April 2011 this runway was closed and had been converted to a helipad area before the freight terminal's construction.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Domestic Terminal, 2022
Cairns Airport on departure in 2025 with the new air-freight complex under construction
AirlinesDestinations
Air New Zealand Seasonal: Auckland[33][34]
Air Niugini Port Moresby[35]
Airnorth Alice Springs,[36] Darwin,[37] Gove[38]
Alliance Airlines Townsville,[39] Weipa[40]
Charter: Century Mine,[39] Cannington,[41] Cloncurry,[39] Groote Eylandt[41]
Fiji Airways Nadi[42]
Hinterland Aviation Coen,[43] Cooktown,[43] Kowanyama,[43] Lockhart River,[43] Pormpuraaw[43]
Jetstar Adelaide,[44] Brisbane,[44] Christchurch (ends 24 October 2026),[45][46][47] Denpasar,[44] Gold Coast,[44] Melbourne,[44] Osaka–Kansai,[44] Perth,[44] Sunshine Coast,[48] Sydney–Kingsford Smith,[44] Tokyo–Narita[44]
PNG Air Charter: Lihir Island,[49] Port Moresby[50]
Qantas Brisbane,[44] Melbourne,[44] Sydney–Kingsford Smith[44]
QantasLink Ayers Rock,[51] Brisbane,[52] Darwin,[53] Horn Island,[52] Mackay,[44] Townsville,[52] Weipa[52]
Rex Airlines Burketown,[54] Doomadgee, [54] Mornington Island,[54] Mount Isa,[a][54] Normanton,[54] Townsville[54]
Singapore Airlines Singapore[55][56]
Skytrans Australia Aurukun,[57] Bamaga,[58] Kowanyama,[59] Lockhart River,[60] Moranbah,[61] Pormpuraaw,[62] Proserpine.[63]
Virgin Australia Brisbane,[44] Melbourne,[44] Sydney–Kingsford Smith[44]
  1. ↑ Gulf route - Cairns-Normanton-Mornington Island-Burketown-Doomadgee-Mount Isa

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
Qantas Freight[64] Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney–Kingsford Smith, Sydney–Western,[65] Townsville

Other tenants

There are operators of emergency medical retrieval and rescue services based at the airport, including Emergency Management Queensland and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

PassengersYear01,000,0002,000,0003,000,0004,000,0005,000,000198019902000201020202030PassengersAnnual passenger traffic

Statistics

Annual passenger statistics for Cairns Airport[66]
YearDomesticInternationalTotalChange
1998 1,915,717688,0582,603,775Decrease –2.2%
1999 2,022,908660,6592,683,567Increase 3.1%
2000 2,132,713680,1332,812,846Increase 4.8%
2001 2,025,193665,1182,690,311Decrease –4.4%
2002 2,087,643766,2562,853,899Increase 6.1%
2003 2,246,566746,5612,993,127Increase 4.9%
2004 2,582,591846,8463,429,437Increase 14.6%
2005 2,842,947862,1843,705,131Increase 8.0%
2006 2,967,077791,7093,758,786Increase 1.4%
2007 3,066,414702,0483,768,462Increase 0.3%
2008 3,153,171595,4613,748,632Decrease –0.5%
2009 3,133,393404,8033,538,196Decrease –5.6%
2010 3,254,097495,8733,749,970Increase 6.0%
2011 3,361,097504,0723,865,169Increase 3.1%
2012 3,569,195511,3594,080,554Increase 5.6%
2013 3,754,331492,0914,246,422Increase 4.1%
2014 3,857,399460,9104,318,309Increase 1.7%
2015 3,975,309545,7334,521,042Increase 4.7%
2016 4,208,221642,2934,850,514Increase 7.3%
2017 4,278,311662,1734,940,484Increase 1.9%
2018 4,283,247662,5514,945,798Increase 0.1%
2019 4,126,357651,8244,778,181Decrease –3.4%
2020 1,587,304119,2211,706,525Decrease –64.3%
2021 2,312,1892,4902,314,679Increase 35.6%
2022 3,672,627135,2623,807,889Increase 64.5%
2023 3,842,622 322,541 4,292,670 Increase 11%
2024 4,091,700 625,941 4,717,641 Increase 11.1%
2025 4,038,102 665,872 4,875,498 Increase 3.35%

Domestic

Busiest Domestic Routes – Cairns Airport 2024[67]
RankAirportNumber of passengers% change
1Brisbane1,305,500Increase 5%
2Sydney919,200Increase 4.5%
3Melbourne824,800Increase 1.7%

International

Busiest international routes – Cairns Airport 2024[68]
RankAirportPassengers handled% change
1Tokyo220,520Decrease 15.5%
2Osaka122,139Decrease 0.8%
3Singapore104,793Increase 10.2%
4Denpasar93,211Increase 18.4%
5Port Moresby41,702Increase 10.1%
6Auckland32,069Increase 22.5%
7Christchurch27,976New entry
8Nadi20,449New entry
9Hong Kong16,900Increase 540.9%

Cargo

Busiest International freight routes of Cairns Airport (*route suspended) (2019)[69][70]
RankAirportFreight handled (tonnes)% change
1Hong Kong1678.9Decrease 49
2Tokyo-Narita1156.2Decrease 54
3Osaka-Kansai309.9Decrease 60
4Port Moresby252.4Decrease 15
5*Shenzhen145.5Increase 60
6*Guangzhou108.3Increase 60
7Auckland68.2Decrease 20
8Singapore-Changi33.5Increase 100

Ground transport

Taxi

Ranks are located near both the International and Domestic Terminals. Cairns Taxis taxi ranks are located immediately outside the International and Domestic Terminals.

Bus

Airport shuttle bus services to hotels, city centre, Northern Beaches, Palm Cove, Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation are available. In late-2026 a Kinetic Cairns bus service will be introduced to the CBD.[71]

Parking

Short-term and long-term parking, including a covered car park and parking for people with a disability are located within the public carparks adjacent to both the Domestic and International Terminals.

Accidents and incidents

  • On 12 August 2024, a 23 year old employee of Nautilus Aviation gained access to a Robinson R44 helicopter at around 1:30 AM and departed from Cairns Airport on an unauthorised flight. The man, who held a New Zealand pilot's licence, made a number of low altitude passes over the Cairns Esplanade before crashing into the roof of the Doubletree by Hilton Cairns. 400 hotel guests were evacuated following with accident, with two treated for smoke inhalation.[72] Investigators found the pilot, who was killed in the accident, was "affected by a significant amount of alcohol" at the time of the flight.[73]

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ↑ "RFDS QLD Home Page" (PDF). Cairns Airport. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "Aerodrome Chart – Page 1: Cairns, QLD (YBCS)" (PDF). Aeronautical Information Publication. Airservices Australia. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  3. ↑ YBCS – CAIRNS/Cairns INTL (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 9 July 2026
  4. ↑ Airport traffic data Archived 14 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  5. 1 2 3 "Great improvements to Cairns Aerodrome over 11 years". The Cairns Post. Cairns. 4 September 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. 1 2 "Why Cairns was so important in WWII". Returned & Services League of Australia Cairns sub-branch. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  7. 1 2 "History". Cairns Airport. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Time is short, expense big, and organisation intricate. But.... Melbourne is gearing up for the Olympics". The Brisbane Telegraph. Brisbane. 31 January 1955. p. 17. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Melbourne 1956 The Torch". olympics.com. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Cairns and the tropical north". Canberra Times. Canberra, A.C.T. 20 March 1990. p. 2. Retrieved 19 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑ "History". Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "Redeveloping 5th Busiest Airport" (PDF). Australian National Construction Review. 9 December 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Cairns Airport sells for $530m ABC News 24 December 2008
  14. ↑ Cairns Airport sold Australian Aviation issuw 258 March 2009 page 16
  15. ↑ Auckland Airport buys stake in North Queensland Airports The Australian 11 January 2010
  16. ↑ Auckland Airport agress to purchase a stake in Cairns and Mackay Airports Auckland International Airport Limited 11 January 2010
  17. ↑ Auckland Airport finds buyer for Cairns Airport stake Australian Financial Review 16 January 2018
  18. ↑ NQA Ownership Changes Finalised Cairns Airport 7 March 2018
  19. 1 2 3 "Contract awarded for Cairns terminal upgrade". Infrastructure Magazine. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  20. 1 2 Lane, Mark (3 August 2020). "A taste of Tropical North Queensland: Cairns Airport completes A$55 million domestic terminal upgrade". The Moodie Davitt Report. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  21. ↑ Jagt, Kerry van der (22 July 2022). "Airport review: Tropical Queensland's main hub's $55 million upgrade". Traveller.com.au. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  22. ↑ "Hello Tokyo! Virgin Australia Launches First-Ever Cairns-Haneda Japan Service With Massive $699 Return Sale". Virgin Australia Newsroom. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  23. ↑ "Why Virgin chose Cairns over Brisbane for new Japan flights". Australian Financial Review. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  24. ↑ Graham, Matt (22 July 2024). "Virgin Australia Gives Up Cairns-Tokyo". Australian Frequent Flyer. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  25. 1 2 "International Terminal Upgrade Update » Cairns Airport". www.cairnsairport.com.au. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  26. ↑ Atfield, Cameron (17 December 2023). "Widespread flooding, airport closed as Jasper batters Queensland's far north". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  27. 1 2 "Cairns Airport to use 100% renewable power from next year". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  28. ↑ Skatssoon, Judy (4 March 2024). "Queensland's CleanCo to provide clean energy for airports consortium". Government News. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  29. ↑ JPMorgan moves to 100pc ownership of $3b Cairns, Mackay airports Australian Financial Review 22 August 2025
  30. ↑ "Cairns Airport terminal information". Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
  31. ↑ "Construction of the Cairns Regional Trade Distribution Centre off to a flyer". Ministerial Media Statements. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  32. ↑ Ackerman, Ian (8 March 2023). "Regional logistics centre opens at Cairns Airport". Daily Cargo News. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  33. ↑ "Auckland, New Zealand AKL". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 91–93. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  34. ↑ "Queensland gets year-round flights with Air New Zealand to Gold Coast, Cairns, Sunshine Coast". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  35. ↑ "Pt. Moresby, Papua New Guinea POM". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 1046–1047. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  36. ↑ "Airnorth to link Cairns with Alice Springs". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  37. ↑ "Hawk-ward landing as AirNorth flight strikes bird drama". Northern Territory News. Darwin: News Corp Australia. 22 December 2025.
  38. ↑ "The Awards for the hottest new Aussie getaways goes to...". The Advocate. Burnie. 6 July 2024.
  39. 1 2 3 "Where we fly - National footprint contract charter". Alliance Airlines. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  40. ↑ "Alliance launches four new routes". Australian Aviation. 23 February 2021.
  41. 1 2 "South32 Airline Services Contract" (PDF). Alliance Airlines. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  42. ↑ "Fiji Airways adds non-stop flights from Cairns to Nadi". executivetraveller. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cape York Schedule" (PDF). Hinterland Aviation. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  44. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Destinations". Cairns Airport. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  45. ↑ Nelson, Jake (25 June 2026). "Jetstar reshuffles trans-Tasman services as costs bite". Australian Aviation. Momentum Media. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  46. ↑ "Jetstar announces major expansion in New Zealand as it celebrates its 15th birthday". Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  47. ↑ "New Jetstar routes announced for Cairns and Sunshine Coast". Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport. 25 June 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  48. ↑ "Jetstar Launches Cairns-Sunshine Coast Route". Mirage News. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  49. ↑ "PNG Air to operate charter flights to Cairns". The National. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  50. ↑ "Route Map". PNG Air. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  51. ↑ Lillian Rangiah (3 February 2025). "Alice Springs tourism sector hopeful after new flights announced for 2025". ABC News. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  52. ↑ "Jetstar to exit Darwin–Cairns route from October". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Where we fly". Rex Airlines. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  54. ↑ "Singapore, Singapore SIN". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 1214–1219. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  55. ↑ Chris Ashton (23 February 2022). "Singapore Airlines restarts Cairns flights". Executive Traveller. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  56. ↑ "Airport operations". Aurukun Shire Council. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  57. ↑ "Airport". Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  58. ↑ Alexandra Treloar; Brendan Mounter (2 July 2024). "Flight cancellations to remote Cape York communities affecting health, essential servicesFlight cancellations to remote Cape York communities affecting health, essential services". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  59. ↑ "Lockhart River Aerodrome Company". Aboriginal Shire of Lockhart River. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  60. ↑ "Moranbah". Skytrans. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  61. ↑ "Pormpuraaw". Skytrans. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  62. ↑ Khaled Al Khawaldeh (30 June 2022). "Queensland airline Skytrans unveils plans for Australia's first hydrogen-fuelled plane". The Guardian.
  63. ↑ freight.qantas.com - Freighter schedule retrieved 17 December 2022
  64. ↑ "QANTAS Freight and Australia Post extend their 100 year air freight partnership for a further 10 years". World Airline News. 28 July 2026.
  65. ↑ "Airport Traffic Data 1985 to 2022". Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economicsaccess-date=26 October 2023.
  66. ↑ "Australian Domestic Domestic aviation activity 2022". Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics. 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  67. ↑ "International Airline Activity—Time Series". Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  68. ↑ Fiscal year 1 July – 30 June
  69. ↑ "International Airline Activity Annual Publications" (PDF). Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics. May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  70. ↑ Cairns Airport finally gets CBD bus link Australasian Bus & Coach 22 July 2026
  71. ↑ Australian Associated Press (10 October 2024). "Pilot who died when helicopter crashed into Cairns hotel was 'affected by alcohol', ATSB finds". Guardian Australia. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  72. ↑ "ATSB finalises Cairns hotel helicopter accident investigation". Australian Transport Safety Bureau. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2026.

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