Your guide to the airport journey

Townsville Airport operates from a single terminal spread across two levels. The majority of facilities, including Check-in, are located on the ground floor, with a mezzanine level providing access to several departure gates. Both an escalator and a lift are available to ensure easy access for all passengers, including those with mobility needs.

Check-in desks are located at the front of the terminal and typically open two hours before your scheduled departure.  

Most airlines offer wheelchair assistance for travellers from Check-in to your aircraft, or from your aircraft to baggage reclaim.  

When booking your ticket with your airline, let them know that you have specific needs so they will know how best to assist you. Alternatively, ask the friendly airline staff at your Check-in desk for their help. 

Everyone needs to be security screened

Security screening is compulsory for everyone entering the “secure area” of an Australian airport terminal. The secure area is the part of the airport terminal that you enter after security screening to board an aircraft. 

Under Australia’s aviation security regulations, you cannot choose your screening method, and practices may vary between airports. It is important to remember that screening selection is not based on gender, ethnicity, religion or employment. 

Everyone passing through the security screening point at Townsville Airport, whether you are catching a flight or not, needs to be screened. 

We know that some travellers have special circumstances and so we have procedures in place to help travellers with additional needs, for example those using a wheelchair, or with low vision, or those with prosthetic devices or a pacemaker.

Tell the security screening officer if you need assistance

Importantly, before the screening process begins, tell the screening officer if you need assistance or if you have a prosthetic, medical device or medical equipment. You have the right to refuse to be screened but it means that you will not be allowed to go to the gate or board your flight. 

If you feel uncomfortable during the security screening process or have any questions, then please talk to the officer or ask to speak with their supervisor. 

Security screening is safe

The security screening body scanners at Townsville Airport use non-ionising millimetre wave technology, like a mobile phone. It is not like an x-ray. The body scanners do not pose any known health risks to people and there are no known safety concerns for people with active implantable medical devices, such as continuous glucose monitoring devices. 

Communication & Sequencing Boards

To help people understand the security screening process, we have developed Communication and Sequencing Boards for Townsville Airport’s security screening point. These boards use pictures and icons to show you what to expect at security screening. They also include key information and common questions. You can access copies of the boards at each security screening lane or you can download them here.

There are a number of food and beverage offerings available throughout the terminal, as well as different seating styles to suit all travellers. Most restaurants offer a selection of options, including gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy free choices Learn more about the different options available here.

At Townsville Airport, aerobridges and stairs are used for access to and from aircraft. If you have limited mobility or other disabilities, you can ask for assistance from airline staff to help you board and disembark from the aircraft. It is best to inform the airline or your travel agent when you book your flight and re-confirm again before flying to confirm the necessary support is available. 

When aerobridges are not available, you will board or disembark the aircraft via a DPL (Disability Passenger Lift)

 Lifting equipment is also available for people requiring additional assistance to help them on and off the aircraft.  

Townsville Airport is a little different to other airports you may have visited. Our terminal is small and easy to navigate, which means getting to your gate is quick and easy. Most of our boarding gates are located on a mezzanine level, where there is limited priority seating.

To ensure there’s plenty of space for passengers boarding and disembarking via the mezzanine, we encourage people to remain downstairs in the departure lounge until boarding is called.

When your flight is called, the gates are only a short distance from the departure lounge. You can access them in just a couple of minutes using stairs, an escalator or a lift. 

It varies by airline, however normally you can use your own wheelchair up until the boarding gate. Check with your airline to confirm their specific guidelines before travelling.

If you are using your own wheelchair then make sure you arrive at the boarding gate early for boarding. You will need to transfer to an airline wheelchair for boarding and disembarking. Please confirm your assistance requirements with the airline and ground crew staff at the boarding gate. Airline wheelchairs are typically narrower to enable them to move through the aircraft aisles.

Once you have transferred to the airline wheelchair, your wheelchair will be tagged and stowed securely in the baggage hold of the aircraft. It varies by airline, but normally, your wheelchair will be available at the gate upon disembarking the aircraft at your destination.