Aerodrome History

Prior to 1939

  • Thursday Island was served by a light aircraft strip on the north side of the island.
  • The strip was 450 metres long and 15metres wide without space for extension.
  • From joint Civil Aviation/RAAF inspections and investigations in 1937, it was determined that the most suitable location for an aerodrome to serve the Thursday Island area was on the north side of Horn Island.

1939

Following design by the Department of Construction, work commenced on a single runway aerodrome by the Queensland Main Roads Commission. The runway constructed was the present RWY 14/32.

1940

  • The first aircraft to land was a Dragonfly flown by Mr. T. McDonald ofCairns on 22nd April 1940.
  • It was determined that this single runway provided insufficient usability and approval was given in June 1940 to construct a second runway to be oriented 08/26.

1941

  • The second runway was completed on 29 January 1941.
  • The aerodrome was taken over by the RAAF as an advanced operational base in and remained under RAAF operational control for the next 5 years.
  • During the period of RAAF occupancy, both runways were sealed and at thetime of hand back were: (a) RWY 14/32-1300m x 45m; (b) RWY 08/26-1525m x 43m.

1946

  • The aerodrome was taken over by the Department of Transport on 31 July 1946.
  • Since 1946, the aerodrome on Horn Island has been expanded and maintained to satisfy the civil aviation demand the Torres Strait group of Islands.

1970

In 1970, a further investigation was made into the feasibility of providing an aerodrome on reefs immediately to the south-west of Thursday Island with the aerodrome extending onto the island itself. A maximum strip size of 1650m x 90m could be achieved without any capacity for extension. Usability due to wind would also be marginal and costs of construction would be extremely high. Such a proposal as a satisfactory alternative for the Horn Island site was therefore eliminated.

1994

In 1994, the Torres Shire Council took over ownership of the Horn Island aerodrome from the Department of Transport after considerable upgrades were carried out to both runways, taxiway, RPT/GA apron and the construction of a new passenger terminal building.

1997

Queensland Main Roads Department constructed and sealed the road from the airport to the passenger ferry wharf providing the final link to Thursday Island.

2015

Awarded Small Regional Airport of the Year

Chapel added to Terminal

2025

QANTAS new QantasLink Dash 8 Q400 named and blessed - Horn Island Ngurupai - 4 June 2025

Today

The Horn Island Airport services a significant influx of air traffic from all phases of commercial, public and private enterprises.It provides a vital air transportation link between the Australian mainland to the Torres Strait Island communities, Northern Peninsula Areas of Cape York to regional international destinations.Adequate facilities are provided at the Aerodrome for both fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft,including itinerant as well as permanent parking bays at minimum charge.

 

Back to top