Moruya Airport will be closed to all flights from 14 February to 6 March 2019
The closure is required to upgrade the runways and make other improvements.
The work is weather dependant therefore an extended weather event could prolong the closure.
Passenger services will not be available. Customers can contact Rex Air Customer Contact Centre on 13 17 13 for flight information.
Airport businesses have been notified and all Rex Airlines flights have been cancelled between 14 February and 6 March inclusive. Helicopters may still use the airport by prior arrangement.
The airport will not be closed to emergency services helicopters.
The work has been scheduled to allow the 2019 Australian National Skydiving Championships, hosted by Skydive Oz, to take place from 11 to 18 March.
The short runway reopens on Monday 4 March, a week before the event begins, or sooner should the work finish early and it is safe to do so.
Moruya Airport: Ripe for private purchase?
With its continued push to economic rationalism and its continued focus on developing Public Private partnerships many in the community are expecting that the days of ratepayer subsidies to run the Moruya airport will come to an end making the newly improved facility with its current runway and terminal upgrades a golden prize to anyone wishing to purchase it. In 2017/2018 the Aerodrome returned $252,000 in fees and charges however it cost ratepayers $601,000 in Expenses from. continuing. operations giving a Net cost. of services LOSS of $218,000 Moruya Aerodrome is owned and operated by Eurobodalla Shire Council and in 2016 has received funding commitments of $7.1 million from the NSW and Australian Governments to commence a major redevelopement including terminal and runway upgrades, increased passenger and aircraft parking and expanded commercial and tourism spaces..
It was first licensed in 1939 as part of a joint Shire and Commonwealth assistance program. During WWII the RAAF acquired the aerodrome to form part of the RAAF Coastal Surveillance network.
At the end of the war, ownership then went to the Department of Civil Aviation. During the 1960s, the aerodrome underwent major upgrades with the addition of radio navigation aids, runway lighting and improvements to accommodate larger aircraft.
In 1991 with the introduction of the Local Ownership Plan, the Eurobodalla Shire Council accepted full responsibility for the control and operation of the aerodrome.
During 2005 the aerodrome changed from Licensed to Certified bringing it in line with International Civil Aviation Regulations.
The Sydney – Moruya – Merimbula route is currently a regulated route under the Air Transport Act 1964 (AT Act). Deregulation of the Moruya-Sydney and Merimbula-Sydney routes is now being considered by the NSW Government. Current regulation for low volume intrastate air routes is based on a one-airline licence policy under the Air Transport Act 1964 (AT Act). Deregulation would open up the prospect of multiple airlines operating on the route. It is reported that in 2012 Eurobodalla Mayor Lindsay Brown told the Canberra Times and SMH a joint venture with investment partners, leasing and perhaps even selling the airport were options, although he did not favour selling the council-owned airport.
Under the Strategic Regional Plan 2013-2018 developed by RDA Far South Coast NSW it states: Moruya Airport Moruya Airport is owned by Eurobodalla Shire Council. The local Council has developed an airport plan that includes an industrial airpark and it is intended that upgrades to the airport will open the region to a range of new national and international visitors. Runway, terminal and equipment upgrades will need to be undertaken to facilitate the introduction of small jets thus allowing expansion and development not only in tourism markets but also the establishment of new industries and a range of new business opportunities (ESC, 2010).
