View Full Version : Innisfail (YIFL) to be International airport?
Office Update
5th Oct 2019, 22:49
The Mayfair 101 Group, based in UK? has spent $23,000,000 buying what's left of Dunk Island resort.
Dunk Island has it's own licenced aerodrome (YDKI) albeit short and in poor state of repair. I have seen C-500/501 and in recent times C525A (CJ2) aircraft types operate from there.
Announced in the 'Australian' last Friday was the Mayfair Group spending $150,000,000 buying 200 properties in Mission Beach [opposite Dunk Island] I did a quick drive through Mission Beach in transit from TSV to CNS, there were dozens of 'sold' signs appearing on vacant water front land, the Elandra Resort has also been sold to the same group.
Apparently Innisfail Aerodrome (YIFL) will be the staging point for International and Domestic aircraft with Customs facilities. A shuttle service will operate between Innisfail and Dunk Is. Although it would probably make more sense to operate CNS to Dunk then onto TSV and reverse; just like in the old day's with Bushies and TAA, in those days utilising BN3 Trilanders and DHC6 Twin Otters.
On Track
6th Oct 2019, 00:03
I am extremely sceptical. Cairns is just up the road.
And where would these international flights be coming from?
Global Aviator
6th Oct 2019, 00:23
I am extremely sceptical. Cairns is just up the road.
And where would these international flights be coming from?
Maybe aiming at the corporate level?
compressor stall
6th Oct 2019, 01:09
I'm assuming there's an RNAV into there these days, but I'd love to see a biz jet doing the old NDB with sector entry...a 12 min approach IIRC? Bank runs in the wet were always much faster down the coast and up the river at 500'
The saving from CNS -DUNK...where all the facilities, Customs etc already exist, may not warrant IFL cost of set up.
Maybe that the Dunk strip is "tight" for big corporate jets
If the Shire council smell big money, then anything can happen.!
A full blown international screening operation for a handful of rich tourists?
I'd say conservatively $3 mil setup plus the high ad-hoc costs of staff to operate it. Anything is possible as aroa said but you'd be hard pressed to come up with a sound business case for it.
Global Aviator
6th Oct 2019, 03:36
Full blown set up for international screening? Actually I don’t really know what’s needed for adhoc international ops.
I know in a few parts I’ve done customs and immigration on board, in an FBO and the traditional way through normal channels.
If there are 7 star islands and resorts being developed then why not let the Globals land there and whatever over to the islands?
All speculation on my part as I have no idea on that part of Oz!
Anything to encourage spending is a good thing!
Squawk7700
6th Oct 2019, 05:07
It all depends whether the government wants to foot the bill for a border patrol and AQIS setup and all of the required departments for an international Airport. They didn’t want to do it for Avalon with such a small number of flights compared to the big airports.
Global Aviator
6th Oct 2019, 05:21
It all depends whether the government wants to foot the bill for a border patrol and AQIS setup and all of the required departments for an international Airport. They didn’t want to do it for Avalon with such a small number of flights compared to the big airports.
Now Air Asia flies into Avalon......
CIQ can and is done at Essendon for a relatively small number of movements.
If someone really wants something it happens.
The odd International flight visits Hobart and CIQ services are provided.
Car RAMROD
6th Oct 2019, 21:24
Horn Island has someone come out to the plane, look at the paperwork etc, and you are on your way.
no “full time” presence with lots of facilities, you don’t need to build a room with smart gates and all that.
Pay enough money and you’ll get someone out to where you need them most likely.
RatsoreA
6th Oct 2019, 23:07
Back in the day, QF used to run YBCS-YDKI and back 3 times a week in a ... I wanna say an old Dash 8. I don’t see why they wouldn’t just do up the runway and start that again...
Lat3ralus
7th Oct 2019, 01:43
Hinterland Aviation in CS used to run the service to the island most recently before the cyclone obliterated everything. They have the perfect machines for the island to start running it again.
Re the Horn. If the Customs Quarantine , etc arent there yet but you are...hope you have yr own spray can to fumigate yrself before you open the door. Open the door first...and expect fireworks !! if no can to show.
Its illegal to leave a dog in a hot car but not humans in a small plane. I think the fly died of heat stroke.!
Gets a story in today's Oz Av page...for what its worth. EIGHT resorts on Dunk...wont be much left of the island N.P by then
No investigative journalists about these days ? When was the last time you read an expose...a la Paul Phelan?