CLIVE PALMER to crank up MCY - international ?

[Andrew Johnson]

think this deserves it's own thread.

In yesterdays papers (inc Courier Mail I think it was) talk of Clive making MCY full time international, now that he owns Hyatt Cooolum & airport in something like a few kms away.

In past there have been charters from New Zealand but nothing more I believe.

Clive's talking about flights from China, but not sure if runway is long enough for nonstop.

MCY is 111kms by rd from BNE which is same distance from OOL.

[Radi K]

The runway is both too narrow and short for any meaningful international operation. It's normally hot and has obstructions that limit performance on both sides of the airport. It lacks straight in approaches and has limited apron space. Crosswind exceedance on the narrow runway when wet also means most airlines will avoid it. B737s are limited heading to MEL or SYD on a hot day in summer. Cant imagine a decent load to NZ or anywhere further.

[Andrew Johnson]

Not sure if Freedom flights MCY/NZL were with 733's or A320's but think they were all Y class, but guess might not have been much freight.