Australian airport operator Northern Territory Airports (NT Airports) has unveiled its plans for a A$1.4m (US$1m) infrastructure project which will improve safety and enhance the capabilities of Tennant Creek Airport.
NT Airports received A$700,000 (US$500,000) in grant funding from the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities under the Remote Airstrip Upgrade (RAU) Program. NT Airports will match the grant funding dollar for dollar.
Tennant Creek Airport currently services around 5,000 passenger movements per annum, making it one of the busiest regional airports in Northern Australia.
Tom Ganley, acting CEO, NT Airports, said, “This funding is critical to upgrade Tennant Creek Airport’s capabilities to enable economic growth and development for the broader Barkly region. As well as improving access to health care service providers, education, essential goods and services for the community, the airport will play a vital role in establishing a mining services hub for the region.
“The project will include an upgrade to the runway lighting system, apron expansion and installation of animal proof fencing on the perimeter of the air strip.”
The infrastructure upgrade will improve the airstrip lighting system; install animal proof fencing; and increase apron capacity. Apron expansion works will allow multiple airport users including the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), fly-in fly-out mining operators (FIFO) and regular passenger transport (RPT) flights by Air North to access to apron facilities at any one time.
The infrastructure upgrade is planned to commence in June 2019 and with completion scheduled for June 2020.