Hobart International Airport, HBA

Airport Name: Hobart International Airport
IATA Code: HBA, ICAO Code: YMHB
Airport Type: Medium Airport
Elevation: 4 metres.
Municipiality: Hobart, Region: Tasmania, Country: Australia
Wikipedia link: HBA Airport on Wikipedia

Hobart Airport, also called Hobart International Airport, is Australia's second fastest-growing airport. Located 17km east of Hobart, Tasmania, this airport is also the country's 9th busiest in terms of passengers served. This is attributed primarily to the increased service of low-cost airlines in the airport.

The airlines that currently operate in Hobart Airport include Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Tiger Airways Australia. All of them use single-aisle aircrafts to carry passengers to the different parts of Australia. Although the airport does not offer international services, it still has facilities for the international aircrafts that enter the country.

History

Hobart Airport was built after it was found out that the Cambridge Aerodome, the small airport that serves Hobart, won't be able to support the city's future air transport needs.

Hobart Airport had its beginnings in June 1948, when then-Prime Minister Chifley announced that the plans of constructing a new airport were approved. Eight years later, the newly-built Hobart Airport became operational. During its first year, it was able to provide service for 120,086 passengers. In the following years, expansion and lengthening of runways were done to cater for large aircrafts such as the Antonov-124 and Boeing-747.

In January 1998, the airport became privately-owned when it was bought by the Hobart International Airport Pty Ltd. Hobart Airport is now currently being run by the Tasmanian Gateway Consortium.

Runways

The airport has one asphalt runway, 12/30, which measures 2,251m long. It is strong and flexible enough to accommodate large airliners like Airbus A-300 and Boeing-767. The runway is also long enough to handle direct flights to Cairns, Perth, Jakarta, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Although it would be beneficial to extend the runway, there are no immediate plans to do so unless future circumstances demand it.

Terminals

Hobart Airport has domestic and international passenger terminals, both of which have received praises from the Australian Institute of Architects for their great architecture. The airport also has one freight terminal and one general aviation terminal.

The Domestic terminal has undergone several expansion projects since its opening in 1976. The check-in and departure area for all airlines can be found on the center of the building. Located in the southeastern part of the terminal is the arrivals area for Qantas and Jetstar, while on the northwestern part is the arrivals for Tiger Airways Australia and Virgin Australia.

The International terminal became operational in 1983, and underwent upgrades in 1985. Although no regular international flights were scheduled since 1998, airport operators are thinking of providing some in the near future. The facilities of the international terminal are currently being used for the airport's domestic operations.

The freight terminal is located south to the Domestic terminal. It has facilities which provide services to Virgin Australia, Australian Air Express, and Toll Air.

Lastly, the airport also has its general aviation terminal, although most of its general aviation aircraft uses the nearby Cambridge Aerodome. This terminal is kind of a back-up, in case the owners of Cambridge cease their operation to use the land for other purposes. Plans for expansion have been made, which include creation of a general aviation apron and a new runway.

Flights and Destinations

Four airlines currently offer flights from Hobart to the cities of Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Launceston, Melbourne, and Sydney. There's also one cargo airline that operates in the airport, and one specialist carrier that travels to Antarctica during summer.

Jetstar has plans to expand its services in the near future. Possible new destinations for this airline include Adelaide, Perth, and New Zealand.

Transport To and From the Airport

There are car, taxi, and limousine services operating in Hobart Airport, although most people choose to use their private vehicles. The airport has car parks offering short-, medium-, and long-term parking.

Bus services provided by Tasmanian Redline Coaches are also available, transferring passengers from the airport to the Hobart Central Business District.

Hobart International Airport Arrivals

Hobart International Airport Departures

Flight information is provided by FlightStats, and is subject to the FlightStats Terms of Use.

Routes To and From Hobart International Airport

Schedules for Flights From Hobart International Airport:

Schedules for Flights To Hobart International Airport: