Horn Island (Ngurupai) Airport

Gateway to the Torres Strait

Horn Island (Ngurapai) Airport (HID)  links the Torres Strait Islands to mainland Australia and regional international destinations. Over 120,000 passengers pass through the airport each year. The airport, owned and operated by the Torres Shire Council, is located on Horn Island, which is almost 8km from Thursday Island. Arriving passengers can reach Thursday Island by Ferry or travel on to the outer islands by plane or helicopter.

Operational Information

The airport operator and certificate holder is the Torres Shire Council. The Horn Island Airport is a Tier 2 Security Controlled Australian International Airport and is the First Point of Entry (FPOE) subject to Biosecurity and Border Force requirements. As a security controlled and certified aerodrome, Horn Island Airport operates under the regulations of Home Affairs and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Airport Details

Airport Code: HID
FlightStats code:HID
IATA code: HID
ICAO code: YHID
Airport Local Name: Ngurupai Airport
Address: Airport Rd, Horn Island QLD 4875
Contact Details: Please refer to ERSA
Latitude: 10° 35' 11.04" S  
Longitude: 142° 17' 23.98" E

Airport Terminal & Services

  • Main Terminal area and outdoor pergola seating for all passengers
  • Toilets
  • Kiosk
  • Pay and Direct Dial Phones
  • ATM
  • Vending Machines
  • DAFF Biosecurity Office
  • Security screening to QantasLink flights
  • QantasLink airconditioned departure lounge with toilets.

Scheduled Service Airlines

QantasLink Hinterland Aviation

Charter Services 

Torres Strait Air  Cape Air Transport    Horizon Airways

Nautilus Aviation  GBR Helicopters  Coastal Rotors Remote Technical Services 

Airport Ground Services

Arriving passengers can travel around Horn Island by taxi or take a ferry to Thursday Island. All Qantas arrivals and departures align with ferry services.

 Kaiwalagal Ferries & Horn Island Transport   Rebel Marine / Torres Strait Tours  Time and Tide Transport

 

Biosecurity 

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry regulates the movement of aircraft, goods and passengers from Torres Strait under the Biosecurity Act 2015. It is recommended that passengers review biosecurity regulations when travelling to/from the Torres Strait.

Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy (NQAS) links
Moving goods from, within and to Torres Strait   Torres Strait target pests, diseases and weeds

QLD Government Biosecurity link
 Travelling in Cape York and the Torres Strait

Airport History

The aerodrome has a rich history from it's original construction, prior to World War 2 by the American Armed Forces, to its current form including the construction of the existing terminal when Council took over ownership from the Department of Transport in 1995.

Aerodrome History 

Recognition

QANTAS names new aircraft - Horn Island Ngurupai - 2025

QANTAS Plane offical Horn Island Ngurupai.jpg

Small Regional Airport of the Year - 2015(PDF, 82KB)

Torres Shire Council acknowledges the Kaurareg Traditional Owners