Gove Airport


Gove Airport is on the Gove Peninsula in the Northern Territory of Australia. It services the mining town of Nhulunbuy and several Aboriginal communities including Yirrkala. The airport is located south southeast of the Nhulunbuy town centre, on Melville Road. It is operated by the Nhulunbuy Corporation.
Airnorth operates daily scheduled services to and from Darwin, Cairns & Groote Eylandt.
Various charter companies are based and operate out of Gove. Including Laynha Air, Marthakal Yolngu Airline, Katherine Aviation, Air Frontier, Black Diamond Aviation and Mission Aviation Fellowship.

History

Gove Airport is located on the site of the former RAAF Base Gove. This World War II airbase was built in 1943 and named for Pilot Officer William Gove who was killed in action. During the war, the airfield was used by No. 83 Squadron RAAF flying CAC Boomerangs and No. 13 Squadron RAAF flying Lockheed Venturas, with No. 42 Squadron RAAF operating PBY Catalina flying boats out of nearby Drimmie Head. At the height of operations, over 5,000 servicemen were stationed at the base. The base closed in early 1946.

Facilities

The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 13/31 with an asphalt surface measuring.
A new terminal building was completed in 2005, providing an air-conditioned departure lounge and indoor baggage collection.

Airlines and destinations

All flights are met by a shuttle bus connecting to Nhulunbuy.

Statistics

Gove Airport was ranked 46th in Australia for the number of revenue passengers served in financial year 2013-2014.