Wilkins Airport (Wilkins Runway)
other
Wilkins Airport (Wilkins Runway)

Wilkins Airport (Wilkins Runway)

 

Airport Country: Antarctica

The geographical location of the airport: in 65km from the coast of the Southern Ocean, in the eastern part of Antarctica near the eastern part of the Mawson Sea

  • ICAO airport code: YWKS.
  • Runway length: 4000m (rigid ice cover).
  • Status: federal significance

 

Wilkins Airport (Wilkins Runway) photo

Wilkins Airport (Wilkins Runway) photo

 

Named after the famous Australian aviator Hubert Wilkins, who made the first flight over the Antarctic.

The construction of the runway in the Australian Antarctic territories planned back in 1950-ies. But because of environmental, political, logistical problems delayed continuously.

The construction of the runway began only in 2005. The site was chosen on the Upper Peterson Glacier, which is approximately 700m thick and moves at a speed of approximately 12m / year. The project cost A $ 46,3 million to implement.

The first flight was planned back in December 2007, but in order to ensure regular flights, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Administration put forward strict requirements for the technical support of flights to the aviation company Skytraders. In addition, the authorities require the air carrier to combine the delivery of cargo and passengers to the Casey base in order to observe the Japanese whaling vessels that conduct prohibited fishing off the coast of Antarctica.

 

Wilkins Airport (Wilkins Runway) photo

Wilkins Airport (Wilkins Runway) photo

 

The first flight on the route Wilkins - Hobart proschel 11.01.2008. Plane AirbusA319 overcame 4,5 hours away in 3400km. On board were 19 passengers, including the Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett, as well as a group of scientists led by the head of the Australian Antarctic Research Institute.

Flights Antarctica, Tasmania is currently performing regularly during the polar day (October-March) on the plane A319 aviation company Skytraders weekly from

Hobart International Airport. This flight is not available for tourists, it serves only the members of research expeditions and scientists.

 

Other airports in Antarctica

Avia.pro

 

Blog and articles

upstairs