The Airport has allowances to take full code E type Aircraft B777/B747 and is an important alternate for the vast majority of traffic over flying the centre of Australia. It has also been certified and has capability for the A380.
The Airport also serves as a test bed for Boeing conducting hot weather trials relating to new in service aircraft as the summer temperatures can reach in excess of 40 degree Celsius (104 F).
The Airport also serves as a freight transfer base for 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 & 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 South East
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 6 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 36m 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 90min 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 here at the Airport, low and high freight loaders etc. A T-500 Tug is expected to arrive and be stationed here at Alice Springs full time by the end of November 08.
Curfew & Noise Abatement
Alice Springs Airport is open 24/7 and there are no restricted flight paths for noise abatement procedures.