Latest figures demonstrate Armidale Regional Airport has played a major role fighting some of the biggest bushfires in the State, and Armidale Mayor Simon Murray said it was time to consider upgrades.
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Armidale Airport remains a critical asset for RFS aerial operations in northern NSW, a hub for both RFS and contracted fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters flying around the clock, as they fight fires from the Queensland border to Tamworth.
Cr Murray said it demonstrated Armidale provided a resource for a much wider region.
"There were 81 extra charter flights into the Airport for RFS-related activities between September 8 and last Sunday [November 17]," he said.
"At this stage we don't have figures on the number of passengers on each flight, but there would be a total of several hundred so far and there have also been emergency personal travelling on the usual passenger services.
"It's an interesting dilemma. We've got an apron there that will handle three aircraft, but when they start bringing in much bigger aircraft, well, I imagine it's a bit of a nightmare for our airport manager."
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Cr Murray said when a big RAAF Hercules recently landed it had to park on the taxiway, parallel to the runway.
"There was just no room," he said.
"But they're designed to land on various surfaces anyway, so they're most probably the safest aircraft to put in that position.
"But, if we do want to pursue upgrades to the airport, it gives us a very good lever with State and Federal governments to argue that this airport is very important, not only for regular public transport and freight, but also because we have the RFS Aviation Centre there."
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Armidale Regional Council general manager Business Scot MacDonald said airport staff were regularly dealing with heavier than normal aircraft and in increasing numbers.
"We are increasingly seeing charters used to fly in staff from interstate locations, including Adelaide and Melbourne," he said.
"The defence force has used Hercules aircraft to bring in firefighters.
"This will have implications for future investment in strengthening the Runway and expanding the Airport apron."
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