Queenstown Airport (Tasmania)

Queenstown Airport (IATA: UEE, ICAO: YQNS) (also known as Howard's Plains aerodrome or Queenstown landing ground) is an aerodrome located at Howard's Plains west of Queenstown, Tasmania, Australia. Formerly a commercial airport, the aerodrome no longer receives regular passenger services, but is maintained by the West Coast Council for a variety of aviation and non-aviation related uses.

History

Construction of an aerodrome to allow for air services to the West Coast was first proposed in the 1930s, however support was not unanimous amongst business and community leaders in Queenstown. Construction progressed through the later part of the decade assisted by Commonwealth grants. By 1937, a single runway had been constructed, however the frequently changing weather conditions of the area made operations from the field challenging. On 17 February that year an Australian National Airways aircraft carrying an inspector from the Department of Civil Aviation was involved in a minor accident when unfavourable winds forced the pilot to land in a soft, sandy area adjacent to the runway instead. In response to recommendations following the incident, additional grant funds were secured in 1938 for the construction of two more runways which would allow for safe landings regardless of the wind direction. By 1939 two runways were in use. The outbreak of World War II prompted an announcement of further works to extend both, allowing larger aircraft to land in support of the region's role in providing materials for munitions manufacturing as part of the war effort.

Post war

The Tasmanian Government proposed a network of intra-state passenger air services in 1946, with Queenstown identified as one of the destinations that would be served.