A319 background information
Airbus A319-115LR
The Airbus A319-115LR is a modern twin engine aircraft with a range of 5000 nautical miles, providing the ability to fly Hobart – Antarctica and return without refuelling, a total of almost 4000 km.
Intercontinental flights operate during the summer months and land at the Wilkins Aerodrome, 70 km southeast of Casey.
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The Wilkins blue ice runway operates during the summer period and supports regular scheduled flights from Australia. The blue ice runway is capable of supporting large wheeled aircraft and smaller ski-equipped CASA 212-400 aircraft.
The intercontinental flight takes approx 4 hours 30 minutes in either direction and the aircraft typically spends 2 hours on the ground in Antarctica before returning to Hobart.
Passengers & cargo
Passenger numbers depend on the requirement of the program – normally the aircraft carries up to 20 passengers but has a surge capacity of 40. Up to 20 flights will be conducted each season. (See schedule)
The aircraft's flexible configuration provides for the transport of a combination of passengers and high priority, lightweight cargo.
The Airbus A319 also has the capability to provide a rapid medical evacuation capability.
The five year-old A319 is leased and operated by Skytraders Pty Ltd who also operates two ski equipped C212-400 aircraft, which fly personnel to field locations and between Australia's Antarctic stations.
For more information see also:
- Historical timeline for introduction of A319
- History making flight a breeze (media release 11 December 2007)
- Aircraft poster
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- Airlink map poster [340 KB]
