180 hours a year ?
The first official flight between Australia and the Antarctic is making its return trip to Tasmania after landing at Wilkins Runway, 70 kilometres from Casey Station.
The Airbus 319 landed in Antarctica early this morning.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett was joined by nine scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division on the first passenger flight to land at the ice runway.
The round trip is expected to take a total of nine hours.
The flight marks the beginning of the new passenger air link between Australia and the Antarctic.
Scientists will now be able to fly down with up to 20 operational flights over summer.
Until now expeditioners have had to go by ship, a tedious journey that takes time.
The Federal Government is hoping the new air service will be a key to Australia's future research in the Antarctic.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...section=justin