Premier Anna Bligh said today the $446 million redeveloped hospital for Cairns is full steam ahead following the successful sale of Cairns Airport.

Cairns Airport is pleased to announce the opening of the First Stage of the $200M Domestic Terminal Redevelopment.

This major milestone brings online the first section of what will ultimately be a combined check-in area for all departing domestic flights.

Qantas, QantasLink, Skytrans and SkyAirWorld now check-in from the newly completed section at the southern (city) end of the terminal.

Virgin Blue, Jetstar, MacAir and Regional Pacific continue to check-in in their existing facilities at the northern end of the terminal.

26 November 2008

Cairns Airport congratulates the Australian Customs Service on the roll out of the SmartGate public information campaign.  "Cairns was one of three initial sites chosen by Customs to pilot SmartGate ahead of the national roll out, along with Melbourne and Brisbane."

The commencement this week of new services between Cairns and Mt Isa by Regional Pacific Airlines is welcomed by Cairns Port Authority.

Qantas announced today it would cease its trial of flying over the city of Cairns on Monday 10 September.

Qantas Chief Risk Officer Rob Kella said competing environmental issues were behind the airlines decision to stop the trial. "After regular consultation with the Cairns Airport Environmental Committee, we decided that although the RNP tecnology used for this trail reduces carbon diaxide and nitrous oxide emissions, the beneifts do not outweigh the significant noise impact on residents," Mr Kella said.

Civil works will commence at Cairns International Airport as part of the Domestic Terminal Redevelopment next week.

As a result, increased construction traffic will be crossing Mick Borzi Drive and Airport Avenue and new speed restrictions will apply along the roads to the airport.

Cairns International Airport Executive General Manager, Kayleen Collins, said it is pleasing to see physical construction works commence, following the extensive planning and design efforts of the airport redevelopment project team.

As operator of Cairns International Airport, Cairns Port Authority will be implementing new procedures for taking liquids, aerosols and gels on international flights to meet new government regulations.

The commencement today of Virgin's new Embraer E-Jet aircraft into passenger passengers services to Cairns was welcomed by Cairns Port Authority.

CPA's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Neil Quinn said 'Virgin Blue Airlines is well established in its operations into Cairns and their decision to introduce their first Embraer aircraft on services to the destination confirms that the region's competitiveness is maintained'.

Cairns Airport is currently undertaking a Cyclone Area Reliability Enhancement (CARE) Program within the General Aviation (GA) precinct of the Airport.

The Care Program is a result of a Strategic Planning Study which identified the requirement to place the existing overhead electrical reticulation and distribution system underground as part of an ongoing upgrade to provide cyclone protection.

The study also identified future precinct development sites as well as future service requirements, including an upgrade of the current street lighting.

CPA Chief Executive Officer Neil Quinn will today release exclusive new 3D artist impressions of the $200 million Domestic Terminal Redevelopment's interior, as well as a full external fly-through of the demestic airport facility.

Visitors arriving at Cairns International Airport will be welcomed by friendly faces and helpful information as a new Tropical Ambassadors program gets underway.

Volunteers and a supervisor will soon be recruited to provide this free services.

TTNQ is pleased to be working with CPA on this initiative.

TTNQ chief executive officer, Rob Giason, said the Tropical Ambassadors will play an important role in creating a good first impression for visitors to Tropical North Queensland.

The redevelopment of the Cairns Airport Domestic Terminal will start next week following the announcement by Deputy Premier Anna Bligh that national construction company Hansen Yuncken has been awarded the principal construction contract.

Cairns Port Authority’s capital works program is underway to deliver new and enhanced facilities at the airport.