In the beginning
Townsville's first aerodrome was located at Ross River and was licensed by the Department of Civil Aviation on 19 June 1930. The aerodrome was transferred to the City of Townsville in 1937 and the licence lapsed on 31 March 1941.

The present airport was developed initially by the City of Townsville, under a provisional licence granted on 26 January 1939 to allow use of the new airport during favourable winds and when the Ross River site was unusable due to wet weather. Operations commenced in February 1939.

The RAAF established a base at the airport in December 1939 and the then Department of Air acquired the airport in December 1940 and retained control after World War II.
The present 2438 metre long main runway was completed in 1958 and resurfaced in 1986. The secondary runway dates back to 1939.

In August 1980, Qantas requested Government approval to commence international services through Townsville to the USA and New Zealand with B747 aircraft from February 1981. The Government approved the request and allocated $5 million to provide the necessary infrastructure. A new international terminal building and associated pavement works to accommodate B747 aircraft were constructed and commissioned in line with the commencement of international services.

The next step
Major redevelopment of the terminal was undertaken during the period May 1986 - April 1988 to meet current demand. The provision of a new domestic terminal integrated with the international terminal was the major component at a cost of $11 million.

The domestic apron was reconstructed to provide parking for up to two wide-body and one narrow-body aircraft and two F27 aircraft. A new public car park, access road improvements, an emergency powerhouse and an aircraft waste disposal building were also constructed at this time.

The Federal Airports Corporation assumed responsibility for the civil aviation area and operations in April 1989. On 11 June 1998, Townsville International Airport was leased to Townsville Airport by the Commonwealth of Australia for a period of fifty years with a further option for forty-nine years. This lease was part of the second tranche of airports to be privatised.

Townsville Airport have recently undertaken a $12 million upgrade of Townsville Airport. The redevelopment program involved the installation of three new aerobridges, an expanded ground level area, an escalator, stair and lift facilities and an elevated walkway with airside views.

The new terminal concourse will occupy a raised mezzanine level along the front of the terminal, providing views to the west over the apron to the runway and overlooking a tropical atrium to the east. The concourse gives access to the aerobridges and will be serviced by the lift and escalators. It has the capacity for 330 people together with an airline service counter and a coffee shop.

The bright future
The terminal’s bright, tropical theme will be carried through in colourful new signage and extensive landscaping works which will transform the airport and its surrounds. Work to establish footings for major signs at the Halifax Street and John Melton Black Drive entrances is underway. Existing landscaping works will be extended throughout the airport precinct to create a warm, welcoming, tropical ambience that will complement the terminal upgrade.