Albany Airport runway upgrade to start by end of 2027

By Andrew Curran.

Work to upgrade Albany Airport (ALH) in Western Australia’s south-west will start by the end of the year after the City of Albany recently appointed Downer Group to deliver the AUD44.2 million (USD30.7 million) project.

The work includes strengthening and resurfacing the 1,800-metre main asphalt runway, upgrading taxiways and aprons, improving airfield lighting, undertaking drainage works and completing Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) compliance upgrades.

The airport, just over 400 kilometres from Perth (PER), is serviced by Regional Express (REX), which operates scheduled passenger flights to and from Western Australia’s capital. Virgin Australia also operated fly-in, fly-out services for mining clients, while the airport is regularly used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, water bombers and general aviation aircraft.

More than 65,000 passengers use REX’s Albany services annually, and the Government of Western Australia is promoting the prospect of direct flights to Australia’s east coast once the airport work is complete.

“These upgrades will enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, opening up the potential for direct flights to the east coast in the future,” said State Transport and Major Infrastructure Minister Rita Saffioti.

Jetstar has found some success flying to Bunbury, a regional airport in Western Australia’s south-west, from Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL). The low-cost carrier could be encouraged to operate a similar thrice-weekly service to Albany if state and local governments put sufficient incentives on the table.

“This project represents the largest investment in Albany Airport’s airfield infrastructure in decades and will help secure the airport’s future,” said City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks.

“The upgrades will strengthen the airport’s capacity to support residents, visitors, local businesses and essential services, while creating opportunities for future growth.”

Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain said aircraft movements and passenger numbers at Albany Airport continued to increase, and the project would deliver the infrastructure needed to keep pace with community needs.

The Australian Government is contributing AUD14 million (USD9.7 million) towards the overall cost. The Government of Western Australia is contributing AUD14.5 million (USD10.1 million), while the City of Albany is providing the remaining AUD15 million (USD10.4 million).

Photo: City of Albany.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com