The Airport has allowances to take full code E-type Aircraft B777/B747 and is an important alternate for the vast majority of traffic flying over the centre of Australia. The airport has also been certified for the A380.
The Airport also serves as a testbed for Boeing conducting hot weather trials relating to new in-service aircraft as the summer temperatures can reach in excess of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees fahrenheit).
The Airport also serves as a freight transfer base for United States (US) Air force military cargo planes taking equipment in and out of the nearby Pine Gap Joint Defence Military site outside of Alice Springs with C-17 and KC-10 aircraft types. In the past the airport has catered for C-5 Galaxy Aircraft from the US Air Force fleet.
Runway Information
Magnetic Bearing: Runway 12/30 Bearing 115°
Reference Code: Code 4
Length / Width / Slope: 2438m x 45m, slope down at 0.3% to the southeast
Graded Strip: Approaches: Rwy 12 1.20% take-off gradient Rwy 30 2.12% take off gradient
Pavement type and rating: PCN 60 Flexible high strength sub-grade
Tyre Pressure 1750kPa or 254 PSI – Determined by Aircraft usage – Runway grooved.
Type A Chart – Edition 1 May 2004
Magnetic Bearing: Runway 17/35 Bearing 173°
Reference Code: Code 2
Length / Width / Slope: 1133m x 18m, slope down at 0.2% to the south
Graded Strip: 90m wide
Approaches: Rwy 17 1.36% take-off gradient
Rwy 30 2.79% take-off gradient
Pavement type and rating: PCN 13 Flexible low strength sub-grade
Tyre Pressure 1048kPa or 152 PSI – Determined by Aircraft usage – Runway ungrooved.
Primary Apron Area
The Apron can cater for up to six free-moving Code C Aircraft (B737/A320) and a B777-200 on Bay 9. A diversion Bay designated Bay 26 allows for any code Aircraft to park on the apron. The position is a power in from taxiway C and a power out to taxiway D. Taxiway E is restricted to B737/A320 types and is not to be used by Aircraft with wingspan greater then 36 m unless permission from the Airport Operator is granted.
Runway 12/30 Turning Nodes
The current node configurations allow for B747/B777/A380 to conduct 180° starboard turns. A combination of differential thrust and braking is required to complete the manoeuvre. Aircraft types such as the A340-600 may experience the maximum wheel angle deflections at the nodes. The node line is designed for standard B747-400. All other aircraft are to use minimum speed and maximum radius turns to avoid pavement damage.
Approach Lighting
Runway 12/30 T-VASIS
Runway 12 HIAL-CAT1
Note 0930-2200 UTC HIRL & HIAL only
Available with 90 minutes prior notice.
Ground Handling
Alice Springs Airport can provide equipment, such as mobile stairs to all types of Aircraft (lower deck of A380 only) A B777 air start cart is also maintained at the Airport, along with full-time low and high freight loaders. A T-500 Tug is also stationed here at Alice Springs.
Curfew and Noise Abatement
Alice Springs Airport is open 24/7 and there are no restricted flight paths for noise abatement procedures.