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Australia's Antarctic aviation

The Antarctic aviation system consists of a regular intercontinental air service from Hobart in Australia to the Wilkins Aerodrome near Casey and intracontinental services provided by 2 CASA-212 fixed wing aircraft and assorted helicopters which link the stations and provide access to other areas of the continent for scientific field work.

The intercontinental aircraft is an Airbus A319-115LR operated by Skytraders Pty Ltd as are the CASA-212s. The helicopters are operated by Helicopter Resources Pty Ltd.

The intercontinental air transport is designed to move approximately 200 passengers each summer season and a limited amount of high priority, lightweight cargo (current maximum of 1500 kg per flight).

A319 at Wilkins Photo: AAD

CASA 212-400 at Casey Photo: B. Dennis

Helicopters at Mawson Photo: G. Dowse

For more information see also:

• Flight Paths for Aircraft Operating in Antarctic Territory  [51 KB]
  
• A History of Australian Aviation in Antarctica
• AAD Intercontinental Flight Policy  [50 KB]
  
• Airlink Environmental Impact Monitoring Report 1 [3.8 MB] (Note: Report 2 - Trip 2 was cancelled due to operational constraints)
• Airlink Environmental Impact Monitoring Report 3 [1.2 MB]
• Airlink Environmental Impact Assessment Report 4 [2.1 MB]
• Airlink Environmental Impact Assessment–Executive Summary 25 June 2010  [2.05 MB]

This page was last modified on September 2, 2010.