An external territory of Australia, Norfolk Island is a few 877 miles East of the Australian mainland, almost halfway between Recent Caledonia and Recent Zealand. Home to simply over 2,100 people, the island has one airport and two airlines.
Norfolk Island Airport (NLK), positioned on the west side of the island, welcomes two direct services from the Australian mainland, each served by Qantas. It operates direct services from Brisbane on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and to Sydney on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Source: GCMap
The runway is sort of 6,400ft long at 371ft above sea level and is large enough to accommodate the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 jet.
A connection from Recent Zealand
Once served by Air Recent Zealand, the connection to Auckland is now taken care of by Air Chathams. This regional carrier plays an enormous part in connecting regional airports around Recent Zealand, including its namesake, the Chatham Islands, an island archipelago some 500 miles east of Recent Zealand. Air Chathams takes off from Auckland International Airport (AKL) certain for Norfolk Island on Mondays and Thursdays, operating with its Saab 340A.
Norfolk’s airlines and airport history
Multiple attempts by Norfolk Islanders to launch their airline have unfortunately not taken off as hoped, with Norfolk Jet Express, based on the island between 1997 and 2005, being replaced by Norfolk Air from 2006 to 2012.
The airport was constructed in 1942 after the USA Armed Forces requested the Australian Government construct an airfield on the island. Because the island is hilly, bulldozers were brought in and leveled off surrounding hills to create enough flat land for a runway. Deforestation of the renowned Norfolk Island pines was required, with 500 being felled.
Fast forward to today, the Island’s airport terminal is modest, with multiple check-in counters, security, immigration, customs, baggage claim, and a restaurant for departing flights.
Visiting light aircraft
Alongside its business services, it’s a well-liked stopover and transit point for light aircraft flying between Australia and Recent Zealand or other Pacific Islands as a consequence of its location.
Source: GCMap
Light aircraft, fitted with long-range tanks, can easily make the hop between Recent Zealand’s Kaitaia Airport (KAT) at 529 miles, Noumea (NOU) at 560 miles, or those heading to Australia via Lord Howe Island (LDH) at 370 miles, where then a connection to the Australian mainland is feasible.