Latest Maps & Notifications

Strategic Development Plan Click image to download PDF document.	General Aviation & Maintenance Precinct Click image to download PDF document.
Interim Terminal Works Click image to download PDF document.	Domestic Terminal Click image to download PDF document.

Click the following links to view our project publications:

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Project Info & News

Construction works at Cairns Domestic Airport

• Cairns Domestic Terminal remains fully operational throughout the extensive redevelopment.
• Construction works commenced in August 2007 and are expected to be completed in late 2010.
• Extension of the terminal to the south has now been completed, commencing the transformation of the former Qantas baggage claim area into a common user check-in facility.
• Upgrades to roads and car parking areas are also well underway.
• Current works focus on upgrading of the Departure Lounge and completion of the common user check-in facility.
• Most Qantas arrivals and all car rental offices are now located in the temporary arrivals facility at the northern end of the terminal.
• Safe access will remain for people travelling to the airport by bicycle and on foot.
• Please allow for possible delays when planning your next trip.

We appreciate your feedback on this milestone project. Please call us on 1800 177 748 with any questions or comments.

This $200 million gateway will offer:

• Exceptional security and state-of-the-art passenger handling technology
• Convenient and consolidated check-in areas for all airlines
• More variety of retail outlets for passengers
• Five modern aerobridges catering for new aircraft types and improved aircraft access
• Better access roads, carparks and pedestrian walkways
• Sustainable development features

The Domestic Terminal Redevelopment is a significant investment into our region and for the 3 million passengers passing through ther terminal each year. It will cater for and encourage ecomonic growth for the next twenty years. With your cooperation and support this important project is cleared for take off.

Project timeline

(Indicative project dates only)

• To view PDF files you may require a PDF reader.

News Updates

The latest updates from Cairns Airport.

Departing Passengers

Airport Pick Up and Drop Off

For security reasons, drivers collecting or dropping off passengers at Cairns Airport are encouraged to use the public car parks. If purely dropping off or picking up a passenger please ensure you use the drop off and collection points signposted around the terminals. Vehicles are not to be left unattended within these areas and security staff engaged in parking control manage these area. Attended vehicles may only remain within the drop off areas for two minutes. Vehicles left unattended are subject to towing and drivers may be fined. Disabled parking is available at the terminals and bays are signposted. Cairns Ports staff are available to assist with further information.

To see the new passenger pick-up and drop-off locations Click here

Check-in

Read all the available information provided to you by your airline. This information will advise you regarding the allowable size of your checked and cabin luggage, what’s allowed to be carried within your checked luggage regarding dangerous goods and other information that will make your departure a more pleasant experience. Cabin luggage size gauges are available within the check in areas at both Cairns Airport terminals.

During check in you’ll be asked questions about your baggage contents and at the International check in whether you packed your bags and had control of them. If in doubt now’s the time to advise the airline. Additionally you will be required to ensure any Liquid, Aerosol or Gel items carried by you are correctly separated. (see below).

If you’re departing from the International terminal for overseas ensure you have the appropriate travel documents ready for airline staff e.g. tickets, passport and visas. Once you have completed check-in we recommend you make your way directly to the Security Screening Point to avoid any delays.

Customs Processes

Australian Customs Service and outwards immigration procedures need to be undertaken if departing from the Cairns International Terminal, this includes domestic passengers travelling to southern ports who are travelling on a domestic leg of an international flight. Customs processes and information are available on the Customs website.

The Security Screening Process

Federal Government legislation requires Cairns Airport to screen passengers and people entering airport departure lounges. The security screening process is designed to ensure prohibited items and weapons don’t enter the lounges and ultimately end up within the cabin of an aircraft. The consequences of this occurring result in delayed departures and possible legal action. In today’s security environment there is a major concern for the safety of aircraft and travelling public.

A selection of weapons and prohibited items are displayed by following the link below.

The security screening process includes x-ray screening of personal cabin luggage, passing through a walk through metal detector, possible hand scanning with a metal detector if you’re not initially cleared by the walk through metal detector, random bag searches and an explosive trace detection process.

The explosive trace detection process is designed to check that a person being screened has not come in contact with explosives, or chemicals that are used in explosive compounds. This process is random, and those people selected for this screening MUST undergo this part of the screening requirement. Refusal to undergo any part of the screening process will unfortunately mean you won’t be able to enter the departure lounges and possibly not fly.

(Links to pictures – prohibited items)

In addition to these processes passengers and people accessing Cairns International Terminal departures lounge, whether transit passengers from overseas or departing passengers from Cairns are also subjected to screening for Liquids Aerosols and Gel (LAG) items. This process is designed to screen people and their cabin luggage for explosives that may be contained within liquid, aerosol and gel compounds. This part of the screening process may also include a random pat down search of the person.

Click here to view video

Electrical items

Electrical items such as mobile phones, digital cameras, MP3 players and laptop computers are allowed within the departure lounges and in the cabin of aircraft and should be packed within your cabin luggage. Personal electrical items e.g. hair dryers and tongs may also be carried, however tong replacement cartridges may not be carried.

Laptop Computers and Portable DVD players need to be removed from your cabin luggage or from their cases to be screened separately.

Liquids Aerosols & Gels Screening

The screening for liquids, aerosols and gels (LAG’s) was introduced in March 2007 by the Australian Federal Government to comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation recommendations and standards in an effort to assist in minimising the likelihood of explosive materials contained within certain LAG items being taken into International departure lounges and aircraft cabins. Click here to view further information regarding Liquids Aerosols and Gels

What are you allowed to take?

Knowing what’s allowed and what’s not allowed before you arrive could save you, and other passengers, time and inconvenience. Any LAG item you wish to take into the lounge or within the cabin of an aircraft must be in an adequate container; however containers cannot be over 100ml. They also need to be carried in a transparent and re-sealable bag measuring no more than 200mm x 200mm or of a size not exceeding 800mm in total diameter. Bags and general information are available at the International Terminal check in area for your convenience. Passengers and people seeking access into the International Departure lounge are restricted to one bag only.
Surrendered items are subject to Federal Government Regulations. Cairns Ports, as the ‘Screening Authority’ are prohibited from returning items to passengers. Receipts for Duty Free and items of value will be provided.

Drinks

You’re welcome to take drinks in cans, bottles, plastic containers and cartons, as long as the containers are 100mm in size or less. Empty water bottles may be taken through the security screening point and filled up at water fountains within the departure lounge. Once through the security screening point you can buy drinks in the departure area to take on to the aircraft.

Food

You can carry foodstuffs in your cabin luggage; however, foods in sauces or with a high liquid content (such as sauces, pastes, soups and stews) need to go in a transparent bag, along with your drinks. These can’t exceed100ml either. Items that reduce to a liquid at room temperature are also subject to these restrictions for example certain cheeses or frozen foodstuffs. It is advisable to check with your airline on what they allow and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) regarding the removal of certain foodstuffs from Australia.

Medicines and medical equipment

Prescribed medicines: There are exemptions for prescription medicines; however it is advisable to ensure they are in the original chemist supplied containers with the prescription attached. Whilst exemptions apply only the required amount for the flights duration and possible delays should be taken in the aircrafts cabin, screening staff may discuss this with you during the screening process.

Non – prescribed medicines: These are allowed but again the quantity must be consistent with the journey and what may be reasonably required during flight and a possible delay. Products required for the flight must be kept in a transparent, resealable bag. Certainly an amount to cover a week’s travel would not meet the ‘reasonable amounts’ test applied to this and what is not required during the flight should be packed in checked luggage.

Medical equipment; Certain medical applicators such as syringes, vials and medicine cartridges, insulin pens etc are allowed. However screening staff will require proof from you for instance, medical certificates, a doctor’s letter or prescriptions should you need to carry these items.

Baby products

The restrictions on LAG items includes baby products, however this like un-prescribed medicines exemptions mainly apply to quantities. Only carry what you need for the trip. Wet wipes and powdered baby food are fine. Additional foodstuffs for babies may include but are not limited to baby milk, sterilised water, juice and any other baby food in liquid, gel or paste form.

Duty Free Goods

These items may purchased inside the departure lounge after the security screening process. Items purchased off airport must be packed in your checked luggage.

Cosmetics and toiletries

You may take solid deodorants, lipsticks, brushes, combs and toothbrushes on
board. The following products are limited to 100ml, and must also go in a transparent bag, along with drinks and liquid-based products:

• Hairspray and other aerosol items
• Creams
• Roll-on deodorants
• Sun-tanning products
• Lip gloss or lip balms
• Liquid soap
• Toothpaste
• Mascara
• Contact lens solution

Smoking materials

Cigarettes and other tobacco products are all allowed in hand baggage. Please note some airlines do not allow matches or lighters in either checked or cabin luggage, please check with your carrier. Australian Government regulations prohibit smoking inside the terminal buildings (other than prescribed areas) and on board aircraft.

Arriving Passengers

If you are an arriving passengers to Cairns from overseas, you are advised to be aware of the following border processes:

Customs and Immigration

The Australian Customs Service manages the security and integrity of Australia's borders and works closely with other government agencies, in particular the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, to detect and deter unlawful movement of goods and people across the border.

In preparation for your arrival into Cairns please ensure you have your passport, completed Incoming Passenger Card and airline ticket available for inspection. If you are unsure what to declare to Customs, tick 'yes' to the question or ask a Customs officer. Customs staff will assist you in determining what goods should be declared.

Australian and New Zealand ePassport holders, aged 18 years or over, can choose to use SmartGate to self-process through passport control. SmartGate uses the data in the ePassport and face recognition technology to perform the customs and immigration checks that are usually conducted by a Customs officer. Travellers will still need to complete an Incoming Passenger Card prior to using SmartGate.

Click here to link to the Australian Customs Service website

Quarantine - Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)

Airports Program officers are trained to apply risk management techniques to identify and appropriately deal with items carried by incoming passengers that could threaten animal, plant or human health, or harm Australia's environment. Basically they ensure the effectiveness of quarantine clearance of incoming aircraft passengers and their baggage at international airports.
Other key functions undertaken by Airports staff include: clearing incoming aircraft; monitoring for insect vectors of human disease; managing under the direction of the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) the arrival of passengers with symptoms of quarantineable and prescribed human diseases; and conducting auditing and surveillance of quarantine waste treatment and disposal arrangements.

These responsibilities are prescribed in legislation, including the Quarantine Act 1908, relevant regulations and proclamations, as well as various international agreements/conventions.

All passengers arriving into Australia from overseas are subject to AQIS processes which includes surrendering certain foodstuffs, x-raying of luggage and physical inspection of some natural items for example wooden artefacts carried in passenger’s luggage. For more information please visit the AQIS website.

Duty Free Shopping

Duty Free Shopping is located on the arrivals concourse just prior to the Customs processing line for your duty free shopping needs.

Transiting Passengers

Australian government regulations require airlines to disembark all passengers and their cabin luggage at the first port of call into Australia. If you are transiting Cairns from overseas you will be required to undergo the regular passenger screening process prior to entering the transit lounge. This process is similar to that experienced at your port of departure. Passenger screening into the transit lounge includes screening for Liquids Aerosols and Gel (LAG) items. Duty Free or other LAG items purchased at the last port of call prior to entering Cairns as a transit port will be required to be surrendered if they are larger than the prescribed 100ml limit or are not in a clear re-sealable plastic bag measuring 200mm X 200mm.

NOTE: At this time Australia does not recognise the use of sealed tamper evident bags provided for duty free items at overseas ports. It is advisable you check with your airline to see whether your flight transits Cairns en route to either Brisbane, Sydney or other Australian port.

If you are transiting Cairns from another major airport in Australia for an overseas destination and you have already undergone the regular passenger screening process you will not be required to undergo additional screening in Cairns.