Rockhampton Airport welcomes Antonov

Published on 01 September 2016

This weekend, Rockhampton Airport will welcome its first Antonov large freight carrying aircraft for the year and residents and visitors will have the chance to spot it from Saturday.

Airport Committee Chair Councillor Neil Fisher said it was always an exciting time for Rockhampton Airport and the public with so many large freight and military aircraft on the tarmac.

“About 5000 Singapore defence personnel will take part in Exercise Wallaby out of Shoalwater Bay military training ground from mid-September and much of their heavy military equipment used in the exercise will pass through Rockhampton Airport,” Cr Fisher said.

“The magnificent Antonov will make its first landing early on Saturday morning followed by another two landings next week. We also have several wide-bodied carriers, including the very modern Boeing Dreamliner, flying in members of the Singaporean Armed Forces as well.

“It will be a plane-spotter’s dream for the next several months as military aircraft fly in and out for Exercise Wallaby which starts on September 15 until November 7.”

Cr Fisher said Rockhampton had one of the best equipped airports in Queensland to handle such significant aircraft traffic.

“Every year, our Region welcomes our international military visitors and our Airport supports their elite aircraft and equipment, proving time and time again that we definitely have the capacity to manage both domestic and freight aircraft,” Cr Fisher said.

The Airport was extended back in 2000 to cater for large military and freight carriers, and now is the third biggest freight handler behind only Brisbane and Townsville.

Plane spotters and enthusiasts, residents and visitors will have the chance to see the imposing aircraft at the Southern end of the terminal through the fence on the following days:

• Saturday 3 September from 4.30am (leaving on Sunday 4 at approx. 1am)
• Tuesday 6 September from 4.30am (leaving on Wednesday 7 at approx. 1am)
• Friday 9 September from 4.30am  (leaving on Saturday 10 at approx.. 1am)

Please note: The Airport does not have any control over the arrival and departure times and they can change without notice. You can follow www.flightaware.com and www.flightradar24.com for updates.