Broome International Airport, BME

Airport Name: Broome International Airport
IATA Code: BME, ICAO Code: YBRM
Airport Type: Medium Airport
Elevation: 17 metres.
Municipiality: Broome, Region: Western Australia, Country: Australia
Wikipedia link: BME Airport on Wikipedia

Broome International Airport is often called the gateway to the north. It is the regional air hub from which most of the personnel and employees of the vast oil and gas platforms in the Browse Basin pass through either using regular scheduled flights or chartered flights. It is one of the country's top 20 busiest airports in 2009, when it handled a total of 391,914 passengers.

History

The airport has a long history which dates back to the period where the first airmail service landed at Broome in 1922. It was a smooth patch of sand on Cable Beach. The present layout of the runway was laid out in 1935 and graded while the terminal was just a covered shed.

In the wartime era, Broome Airport was attacked by Japanese forces, but fortunately enough, it didn't suffer serious damages. Instead, the flying boat anchored near the bay was sunk, killing all its more than 70 passengers on board.

The new era of Broome Airport came in 1991 when the Federal Government sold the facility to a private operator. A major expansion ensued, which saw several improvements in the airport. It gained its international status on March 1992. By March 2000, a regular international flight between Broome and Denpasar, Indonesia commenced, but discontinued a year later.

Several improvements occurred since then until an Airport Master Plan to 2025 was released in 2008 for its future development.

Runways

Broome International Airport has a single asphalted runway, 10/28, which measures 2,458m long. It can accommodate medium-size aircraft such as an Airbus A320.

Terminal

The airport has two separate terminal buildings for arrivals and departures. Both terminals have all the basic services and amenities for its passengers such as toilets, parking, showers, no smoking areas, lost baggage counters, internet access, facilities for people with special needs, baby care facilities, public telephones, ATMs, a bar, and a gift shop.

Flights and Destinations

There are currently five airlines operating from the Broome International Airport. Qantas, Skywest Airlines, and Virgin Australia all have direct regular flights to Perth several times daily, with connections to other key cities across Australia. Other destinations include Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney (all seasonal), Karratha, Kununurra and Port Hedland.

Transport to and from the Airport

The airport is a short leisurely walking distance to the city center of Broome. However, major car rentals and taxis are also available. A shuttle bus can be arranged with your hotel prior to your arrival or upon booking.

Broome International Airport Arrivals

Broome International Airport Departures

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