Gateway to the COFFS HARBOUR World REGIONAL AIRPORT • 42 flights a week to Sydney (Virgin Blue and QantasLink) • 16 flights a week to Brisbane (Brindabella) • Weekly direct flight to Melbourne (Saturdays, Virgin Blue) • New Airport Lounge • Pilot Training School • Upgraded Security Proudly produced by the Coffs Coast • Friendly Service Independent MAYOR’S MESSAGE The development of Coffs Harbour One of the project was the widening internet stations, wireless broadband Many of those coming to the Coffs Regional Airport is acknowledged as of the main runway to give it greater and a flat screen television, the lounge Coast are using the airport, as are the driving force behind the area’s operational flexibility and to cater for provides the comfort and facilities that more and more residents travelling economic growth in recent years. future aircraft. tourists and business flyers expect and elsewhere. With more than 320,000 passen- At the end of 1999, work began on need. Being able to provide them with gers using the facility every year, it can the $4 million terminal expansion to Keeping pace with developments is the comfort they would normally only rightly claim to be one of NSW’s meet the expected growth in passen- key to the airport’s success. associate with a metropolitan airport largest and busiest regional airports. ger numbers. The new expanded ter- The Coffs Coast has grown hugely hub, will ensure that Coffs Harbour Achieving that status has been the minal became operational in in popularity as a holiday hotspot in Regional Airport remains the key result of the vision of former Coffs November 2000. recent years. Similarly, Coffs Harbour economic driver it has always been. Harbour City Councillors and the The latest development – the new is increasingly being recognised as the airport’s staff. passenger lounge – is just the latest destination of choice for national and In 1992, planning began to upgrade stage of that vision. regional conferences and sporting Keith Rhoades AFSM the airport terminal and runway. Stage With seating for 64 passengers, events. Mayor, City of Coffs Harbou r COFFS HARBOUR REGIONAL AIRPORT f you’re a regular flyer, you’ll Airport Local Ownership Plan. Harbour Regional Airport run- understand why Coffs Har- As part of that agreement, the way is actually longer and wider Ibour’s airport is widely airport was upgraded to F28 jet than those at the Sunshine acknowledged as one of the standard in 1986. Coast and Mackay airports, finest regional airport facilities Council became responsible which handle two-and-a-half to in Australia. for all the development and op- three times as many passengers This special supplement was erational costs of the airport per year,” says Airport Manager, put together to make the when the Commonwealth Dennis Martin. entire Coffs Coast community discontinued the Airport Local “In fact, our runway was aware of all the great facilities Ownership Plan in 1991. even longer than the Gold we have at our airport – a facil- The main runway was up- Coast’s runway until theirs was ity we can all be proud of. graded to Boeing 767 standard upgraded in March 2007, and What makes the airport so in 1999 and a further upgrade the Gold Coast handles more special is a combination of of the terminal building was than 4 million passengers a good infrastructure, the wide completed the following year. year.” variety of facilities available, Our airport is well used, The modern terminal build- strong leadership, the staff who with traveller numbers increas- ing is fully air-conditioned and run the airport so profession- ing every year. In the 2007-08 provides comfortable customer ally, the airlines who make the financial year, 323,000 passen- facilities along with state-of-the- Coffs Coast so accessible and gers passed through the gates art baggage handling and secu- all the wonderful and friendly and the airport handled 26,362 rity systems. people working at the various aircraft movements. With the infrastructure and businesses located at our With a main runway length facilities to handle up to a airport. of 2080m and a width of 45m, million passengers a year, the Coffs Harbour City Council the airport is capable of han- Coffs Harbour Regional Airport has owned and operated our dling most jet aircraft types up could well be the catalyst for regional airport since 1984, to the likes of a wide body stimulating future growth on when the Commonwealth Boeing 767. the Coffs Coast and even more Department of Transport trans- “Not many people are generally, the NSW North ferred ownership under the aware of the fact that the Coffs Coast. How the Coffs Harbour runway measures up against other regional airports. AIRPORT MANAGEMENT STAFF >> These are the people who ensure the smooth running of our Coffs Harbour Regional Airport. Pictured (back from left) is Mark Fitton, Operations Officer; Boris Svrznjak, Airport Reporting Officer; Terry Cooper, Airport Reporting Officer; Anton Veugen, Compliance Officer; and (seated) Melissa Schultz, Administration Officer; Dennis Martin, Airport Manager. Missing is Guy Vidler, Airport Reporting Officer. The Coffs Harbour Regional Airport operates as a business unit of Coffs Harbour City Council. While council sets policy and direction for the airport, the Airport Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the airport. 2 COFFS HARBOUR REGIONAL AIRPORT - July, 2009 COUNCIL GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE Coffs Harbour Regional Airport is the and the many millions of dollars they the airline industry, which has seen an edge over its neighbours. city’s major gateway for the thousands inject into the Coffs Coast’s economy rapid expansion of companies and a Coffs Harbour City Council has of tourists and business people who – are directly behind a huge percent- hunt for new routes and markets, has never underestimated the airport’s come to the area every year. age of the rapid growth of the city, been of direct benefit to Coffs Har- importance to the health of its local Since 1992, significant financial and which is now seen as one of the Mid bour Regional Airport – and the city. economy and we will continue to human resources have been invested North Coast’s key regional centres. The airport is currently serviced by work towards ensuring it remains at in the planning and development of the That is why ensuring that the air- three carriers – Qantas, Virgin the forefront of NSW’s regional air- airport and this facility is now a crucial port continues to expand and offer Blue and Brindabella Airlines – and has ports. business asset for the city of Coffs the range of facilities that both airlines the capacity to handle aircraft up Harbour. It is also of key strategic and passengers demand – and expect to the size of a 240-seat Boeing 767. importance to the surrounding – is vital for its continued success in The airport has seen important Stephen Sawtell regions. the future. changes in recent years, changes that General Manage r The visitors that use the airport – The recent fierce competition in have given the city of Coffs Harbour Coffs Harbour City Council LOUNGE UPGRADE On July 1, 2009, Coffs Harbour City Council officially opened a new lounge for passengers and visitors to the terminal, in addition to the existing two departure lounges and the Biggles coffee lounge. The new lounge seats 64 people and includes internet facili- ties, a work station and a 40” flat-screen television. WHAT’S THAT IN YOUR BAG? hen watching your carry- until we press a button, which will security standards applied by the on bag go through the make them disappear when they’re company, which adheres to strict WX-ray machine at the not really there.” federal legislation to ensure nothing airport, have you ever received an The security company, which that isn’t supposed to be there gets alarmed look followed by a friendly Chris runs together with Mark into the ‘sterile area’, as they call the smile by the security officer? Bohan, currently has 14 staff who departure lounge, apron and aircraft. Well, it’s possible that for an handle all passenger and baggage Trying to keep up with changing instant there they saw a prohibited screening at our airport in shifts of airline regulations can be a challenge or dangerous item in your bag that six at a time. for passengers. you certainly didn’t pack. “We focus a lot on staff training Two of the most common items How is that possible? and all our officers are well trained to be confiscated are scissors, which Chris Assigal, of M&C Services, to handle conflict situations,” says are given to local charities, and the security operators at Coffs Har- Chris. cigarette lighters. bour Airport since 2001, explains. “We understand flying can be “One lighter in your pocket is “We use hi-tech screening equip- stressful and we are also well aware allowed, but we once found 17 in ment that actually trains and tests that we are a tourist destination, so one handbag,” says Chris. our alertness by randomly showing we always greet people with a smile To avoid surprises, read up on banned items inside bags on our and really try to make everyone feel what you can bring on domestic and screens sometimes,” says Chris. welcome and at ease.” international flights by visiting >> Security officers screen all passengers, carry-on bags and “We don’t know if they’re real The smiles don’t impact the high http://travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au check-in luggage for dangerous and prohibited items. STATE-OF-THE-ART SECURITY Our airport features state-of-the-art passenger and baggage screening facilities.