Busselton Regional Airport

Busselton Regional Airport
Skywest F100 at Busselton Airshow 2004
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Shire of Busselton
Location Busselton, Western Australia
Elevation AMSL 55 ft / 17 m
Coordinates 33°41′14″S 115°24′01″E / 33.68722°S 115.40028°E / -33.68722; 115.40028Coordinates: 33°41′14″S 115°24′01″E / 33.68722°S 115.40028°E / -33.68722; 115.40028
Website http://www.busseltonmargaretriverairport.com.au/
Map
YBLN
Location in Western Australia
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
03/21 1,800 5,906 Asphalt
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[1]

Busselton Regional Airport (IATA: BQB[2], ICAO: YBLN) is located 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from Busselton's town centre. Busselton is located in the South West of Western Australia, about 220 km (140 mi) south of Perth in the heart of the Margaret River wine region Subsequently, the airport is commonly addressed as Busselton-Margaret River Regional Airport to promote tourism and associate the airport with the whole region.

Airlines and destinations

Virgin Australia operate regular fly-in-fly-out charters to the Pilbara mining region in Western Australia using Fokker 100 or Airbus A320 jet aircraft.

AirlinesDestinations
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines Barimunya, Boolgeeda, Perth, West Angelas, Geraldton

Facilities

Busselton Regional Airport has a single runway (03/21) and both ends are suitable for use by jet aircraft up to Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 size.[3]

Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) is available for both ends and low-intensity runway lights can be activated by radio (Pilot Controlled Lighting). Two illuminated windsocks are on site.

Non-precision instrument approaches include GNSS (GPS) approaches to both runways, and a sole NDB (ADF) approach to runway 21. The GNSS approach allows landings to proceed with visibility as low as 500 ft AMSL and a visibility of 3.1 km.[4]

Upgrades

In 2015, airport undertook expansion of its aircraft apron as well as the terminal building. The apron accommodates an additional parking position capable of an airbus A320, bringing the total jet parking to three.

The sole terminal building doubled in size, able to process 100 passengers at a time, adequate to serve a single F100 jet. By the end of 2015, despite the upgrades, the airport could not yet handle Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 sized aircraft. Further upgrades in 2016 were planned.

Future expansion

Information outlined in the BMRAA airport master plan, stage 1 included plans for a new passenger terminal south of the existing one, with associated aircraft apron capable of handling two Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 sized aircraft.

Plans forecast for interstate flights to be inaugurated by the end of 2017, with thrice weekly services to Melbourne and future service to Sydney. Speculated airlines are Virgin Australia and/or Jetstar.

The upgrade to handle these code 4E aircraft is scheduled for completion at the end of 2017. Once the annual passenger movements exceed 350,000, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting services will need to be provided.[5]

2017 Expansion

The City of Busselton is upgrading the existing Airport facilities in preparation for Regular Public Transport (RPT) air services to interstate destinations including Melbourne and Sydney and international destinations in South East Asia and China.

The Development Project works include:[6]

Lengthening, widening and strengthening of the existing runway to facilitate B737/A320 jet aircraft operations;

4 new aircraft parking aprons and connecting taxiways;

New terminal building and entry statement that embodies the character of the South West region;

New internal road network and parking facilities;

Infrastructure to support the development of freight and commercial opportunities;

Upgraded aeronautical ground lighting; and

A new general aviation precinct.

As of April 2017:[7]

The airside construction works are progressing well with the City’s construction contractor, Ertech, well advanced with earthworks on the southern runway extension, new Code 4E apron and associated taxiways. New security fencing has also been installed to enclose the expanded airport boundary. An asphalt batching plant has been set up on site with pavement construction on the runway, apron and taxiways commencing in April and continuing until the cooler weather and winter rains arrive.

Key Project Dates

April: Landside schematic design complete

July: Landside Civil Construction Package - Request for Tender released; Environmental Protection Authority releases Environmental Review Document for public review for 6 weeks

September: Landside civils and landscape construction commences; Landside Terminal Construction Package - Request for Tender released

November: Terminal construction commences

History of planes

Fokker 50, Fokker 100, Boeing 717-200, Airbus A320, Boeing 737-800.

See also

References

  1. ↑ YBLN – Busselton (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 01 March 2018, Aeronautical Chart Archived 10 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ Accident history for BQB at Aviation Safety Network
  3. ↑ "Airservices Australia AIP Aerodrome Chart" (PDF). 26 May 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-19.
  4. ↑ "Airservices Australia AIP Instrument Approach chart" (PDF). 26 May 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-19.
  5. ↑ "BMRRA Master Plan" (PDF). Feb 2016.
  6. ↑ "BMRRA Development Project Overview".
  7. ↑ "BMRRA Project Update Apr 2017" (PDF). April 2017.
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