About Townsville Airport

Townsville Airport has been connecting North Queensland to the rest of the world for over 80 years – but its roots go even further back.  

The region’s first airport was established in the late 1920s, located south of the Ross River near the foot of Mount Stuart in the Thuringowa Shire.  

In 1939, the need for a more strategically positioned and better-drained location led to the development of a new airfield in the suburb of Garbutt, which is where the airport is located today. This move coincided with the establishment of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in response to World War II. The airport became known as Garbutt Airport and played a crucial role during World War II, serving both civilian and military aviation needs. That defence partnership remains strong today, with Townsville Airport operating as a joint-user facility – one of only a few in Australia.  

The decades that followed saw steady growth. In the 1950s, the main runway was completed, and by the 1960s, demand for passenger services was accelerating. The airport made headlines again in 1983 when it became the first regional Australian airport to offer direct long-haul international flights from its newly opened international terminal.  

In 2005, Queensland Airports Limited acquired full ownership of the airport, which allowed for a renewed focus on regional connectivity and infrastructure development.  

Since then, the airport has undergone major upgrades, including terminal redevelopments, runway resurfacing, improved security screening and enhanced accessibility - all designed to support future demand. 

The 2023 Townsville Airport Master Plan, approved by the Federal Government, outlines a strategic vision for the airport's growth over the next 20 years.  

Learn more about our 2023 Master Plan and what’s next for Townsville Airport.