Rottnest Island Airport
Encyclopedia
Rottnest Island
Airport is a small airport for light aircraft, situated about 800 metres from the main settlement at Thomson Bay. Daily air services operate to the island. In the past these have been from Perth Airport
, but in recent years have been mainly from Jandakot
.
The single 1290 metres (4,232.3 ft) runway runs East-West and is situated behind Thomsons Bay and south of Government House Lake. Part of the lake was resumed for the construction of the airport runway. The Rottnest Tram track runs south of and parallel to the runway.
The airport opened in November 1930 and has been used regularly since then for private and small commercial operations, ferrying workers and holiday makers between Perth
and the island.
Woods Airways which was run by pioneer aviator Jimmy Woods, operated the Perth to Rottnest service from about 1948 with two war-surplus RAAF
Avro Anson
aircraft. The service closed in 1961 after concerns about the safety of the ageing aircraft and recurring conflict with the Department of Civil Aviation over minor infringements of regulations. In 14 years of operations, it had made more than 13,000 crossings.
Other services continued after Woods Airways departed and at various stages facilities were upgraded.
Woods Airways and its owner were considered synonymous with the airport and in 1987 State Tourism Minister Pam Beggs opened the renamed and upgraded Jimmy Woods Air Terminal in recognition.
MMA took over services after Wood's Airways using both DC-3 and Fokker F-27 "Friendships", until the route became uneconomical.
Rottnest Airlines (aka "Quokka Airlines") operated the service until 1999 when it was taken over by Frank Stynman who operates a four and six-seater daily service from Jandakot called Rottnest Air-Taxi. Flying time is from 12 to 15 minutes.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. It is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, meaning "place across the water". The island is long, and at its widest point with a total land area of . It is classified as an A Class Reserve and is managed by the...
Airport is a small airport for light aircraft, situated about 800 metres from the main settlement at Thomson Bay. Daily air services operate to the island. In the past these have been from Perth Airport
Perth Airport
Perth Airport is an Australian domestic and international airport serving Perth, the capital and largest city of Western Australia. The airport itself is located in the suburb of Perth Airport....
, but in recent years have been mainly from Jandakot
Jandakot Airport
Jandakot Airport is an Australian general aviation airport located in Jandakot, Western Australia. Jandakot airport opened in 1963. From 1 July 1998, Jandakot Airport Holdings purchased a 50-year lease with a 49-year option to operate and maintain the airport including its conservation...
.
The single 1290 metres (4,232.3 ft) runway runs East-West and is situated behind Thomsons Bay and south of Government House Lake. Part of the lake was resumed for the construction of the airport runway. The Rottnest Tram track runs south of and parallel to the runway.
The airport opened in November 1930 and has been used regularly since then for private and small commercial operations, ferrying workers and holiday makers between Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and the island.
Commercial services
At one stage, the 32 kilometres (19.9 mi) Perth to Rottnest flight was the world's shortest scheduled air route.Woods Airways which was run by pioneer aviator Jimmy Woods, operated the Perth to Rottnest service from about 1948 with two war-surplus RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
Avro Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
aircraft. The service closed in 1961 after concerns about the safety of the ageing aircraft and recurring conflict with the Department of Civil Aviation over minor infringements of regulations. In 14 years of operations, it had made more than 13,000 crossings.
Other services continued after Woods Airways departed and at various stages facilities were upgraded.
Woods Airways and its owner were considered synonymous with the airport and in 1987 State Tourism Minister Pam Beggs opened the renamed and upgraded Jimmy Woods Air Terminal in recognition.
MMA took over services after Wood's Airways using both DC-3 and Fokker F-27 "Friendships", until the route became uneconomical.
Rottnest Airlines (aka "Quokka Airlines") operated the service until 1999 when it was taken over by Frank Stynman who operates a four and six-seater daily service from Jandakot called Rottnest Air-Taxi. Flying time is from 12 to 15 minutes.