DUBBO – FINALIST IN FOUR CATEGORIES FOR AIRPORT OF THE YEAR
Dubbo City Regional Airport has been named as a finalist in four categories across the Australian Airports Association (AAA) National Airport Industry Awards for 2021. News of the finalist nominations comes as the aviation industry begins to emerge from nearly two years of extreme challenges due to COVID-19, challenges that also directly affected Dubbo - giving rise to some industry-leading innovation at the airport that is now up for national recognition.
The four finalist categories include: 2021 Nominee Large Regional Airport of the Year; 2021 Nominee Airport Excellence Awards: Infrastructure Award; 2021 Nominee Airport Excellence Awards: Innovation Award; 2021 Nominee Airport Excellence Awards: Sustainability Award.
"The recognition shows that despite challenging times, Dubbo City Regional Airport continued to plan for future growth, while getting on with seeking new opportunities and delivering on goals both large and small," said Director of Culture and Economy, Natasha Comber. "Dubbo City Regional Airport has shown itself to be resilient, strategic and deliberate in its approach to challenging times, and has delivered some projects and outcomes that industry leaders and peers have deemed worthy of including in four nationwide categories. These will now be voted on by those leaders and peers ahead of the awards night on 17 November."
Judges will consider Dubbo City Regional Airport projects and milestone achievements that include: the establishment of the Dubbo-led Dubbo - Ballina - Dubbo direct air service which provided a platform for innovation, economic stimulus and opportunity for the partnering councils and airline to test sustainability new routes and the potential for community support into the future. A complete airport tower refurbishment that has given the former Air Services Australia building a new life and sees it currently serving as an emergency service air operations hub. The repurposing and redevelopment of the existing building also significantly saved on the financial and environmental cost had the old structure been demolished and adjacent land remediated. The delivery of the southern apron expansion - including new LED lighting - has provided additional large aircraft parking, including parking for the airport’s growing passenger airline operations. Delivering the new landside café and bar has removed the need for customers wanting to access a café from going through security. Other innovation and improvements included implementing a new building management system, internal building modernisation, and establishment of 15-minute car spaces closer to the main terminal.
"In addition to all of this great work, Dubbo City Regional Airport has worked hard to actively advocate for the aviation industry," said Ms Comber. "Inclusion of Dubbo City Regional Airport into these four finalist categories is solid recognition for both the hard work and innovation of Council’s airport team."
Dubbo City Regional Airport hosts several airlines, including Qantas Link, Regional Express, Link Airways, Fly Pelican and AirLink. These Airlines are responsible for over 7,500 Regular Public Transport (RPT) services (inbound and outbound), and on average have transported over 200,000 passengers annually from 2017-2020 (excluding during COVID-19). The airport is also home to general aviation tenants, the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Dubbo Base, an emergency services precinct for the Rural Fire Service – including the soon to be further expanded NSW RFS Training Academy, NSW State Emergency Service, and VRA Rescue NSW.
The Australian Airports Association National Airport Industry Awards will be presented virtually for the first time on Wednesday 17 November 4-6pm (AEDT).
Last Edited: 17 Jul 2023