Cairns Airport currently has one operational runway: Runway 15/33. It is orientated north-south. The runway is 3196 metres long and has precision navigation aids at both ends enhancing the safe operation of aircraft landing from either the north or south.

The runway is referred to differently according to in which direction it is being used. For example it is known as Runway 33 when used in a northerly direction and Runway 15 when used in a southerly direction. Runway numbering reflects the runways’ orientation and correlates with degrees on a compass. Runway 33 is 330 degrees.

An Instrument Landing System operates for aircraft landing on Runway 15.

The following video explains how runways are named and used.

Runway selection and seasonal winds

Runway selection is based on wind direction, weather conditions, traffic volume and other factors. Aircraft primarily take-off and land into the wind for safety and performance reasons. Therefore, as the wind direction changes the runway in operation may also change depending on the strength of the wind.

This means that Cairns’ seasonal wind patterns affect usage of the runway directions. The prevailing wind year-round tends to be southerly which results in more use of Runway 15. Therefore, when the wind direction is northerly and Runway 33 is used, it can be more noticeable to affected residents because it occurs less frequently.

Noise abatement procedures

Noise abatement procedures are designed to help reduce the impact of aircraft noise on communities. While they are applied whenever it is possible to do so, their use is not mandatory and is subject to weather conditions and traffic requirements.

The Cairns Noise Abatement Procedures outline that the preferred runway for landing and take-off is Runway 15. Arriving aircraft will be directed to use routes that are clear of highly populated areas until they are seawards of the coastline or established on their final approach to land. Pilots are asked to delay flap deployment until as late as is operationally practicable when on final approach.

Between 10.00 pm and 7.00 am, circuit training by jet aircraft (and other aircraft exceeding 5700 kilograms maximum take-off weight) is not permitted.

Between 11.00 pm and 6.00 am, no aircraft is permitted to conduct engine run ups (unless associated with the normal preparation of flight) without Cairns Airport permission. Operators and pilots of jet aircraft are also requested to cooperate in limiting the use of reverse thrust when landing.

Cairns Airport has a number of flight paths from its runway.

To learn more about the runway at Cairns Airport, take a look at our Cairns Airport Runway page.

The illustration below shows how jet and non-jet (turbo-prop) aircraft typically operate at Cairns Airport on the published instrument arrival and departure flight paths.

The animation is indicative only and provided for information purposes, on occasions flights may leave these general areas from time-to-time.

Scenic flights

Light aircraft and helicopters conduct scenic flights in the Cairns region. Light aircraft operate from Cairns Airport and helicopters operate from both Cairns Airport and the Cairns Esplanade Helipad. The scenic flights are mainly to the Great Barrier Reef, with immediate turns or tracking towards the reef on departure. On return, light aircraft may require a long or short approach to the runway, depending on the conditions. Helicopters will either fly directly back to the helipad or may continue the scenic flight inland taking in sights such as the Kuranda Scenic Rail, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, the Barron Falls and Barron River.

Circuit Training

Light aircraft and helicopters conduct pilot training at Cairns Airport including circuit training.

Circuit training is the first stage of practical pilot training focused on take-offs and landings. It involves the pilot making approaches to the runway or helipad, touching down and then applying power to take off again. This is undertaken in accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations which are consistent with international practices.

How circuits are conducted

A training circuit consists of five legs – take-off, crosswind, downwind, base and final approach to the runway.

Aircraft take off into the wind, climb to 500 feet and then turn onto the crosswind leg. They continue to ascend to 1000 feet and turn onto the downwind leg. Having turned onto the base leg the descent commences. After turning onto the final leg and lining up with the runway the aircraft will touch down and take off again.

Helicopters circuit inside the fixed wing circuit at a lower altitude.

Aircraft usually conduct left hand circuits however at Cairns Airport, for noise abatement, when the runway is used in a northerly direction the aircraft will make a right turn so most of the circuit is over water.

A simplified representation of a left-hand circuit is shown at right. The take off and final stage of the circuit is flown into the wind, as this is the safest way for an aircraft to operate. The aircraft symbols and dotted lines indicate recommended ways for an aircraft to join the circuit pattern. Click the image to enlarge it, and use your browser “Back” button to return to this page.

Between 10.00 pm and 7.00 am, circuit training by jet aircraft (and other aircraft exceeding 5700 kilograms maximum take-off weight) is not permitted.

More information about circuit training is found here.

Flight tracks of scenic flights and circuit training is found in the Cairns Airport Flight Paths page.

Flight paths are not precise, defined paths like runways, but more like corridors that are often several kilometres wide.

Arrivals

Jets arriving from the north tend to follow one of two paths.

Aircraft will generally approach from the north east, crossing the coast at Richter’s Creek, largely avoiding residential areas.

Aircraft using the Instrument Landing System on Runway 15 will approach over land directly from the north, flying over some suburbs. This approach will be used most frequently in poor weather, but international carriers will often use this approach regardless of the weather conditions. This type of approach requires aircraft to be at around 3000 feet when they begin their approach. Aircraft will descend steadily to the runway using the horizontal and vertical guidance provided by the system.

The approach from the south is straight in from the south-east, and passes over the central business district.

There is no minimum altitude for aircraft in process of landing. Aircraft will generally descend on a glide slope of three degrees.

Departures

Departure flight paths allow aircraft to maintain the runway heading for a short time until they are stabilised in flight, and then to turn towards the route that will take them to their destination.

Jet departures to the south turn soon after take-off to the east, crossing over the ocean. Some residential areas are over flown but these are limited to suburbs within four kilometres of the airport, and the central business district is not overflown.

Departures to the north turn to the north-east to cross the coast at Richter’s Creek. This flight path flies over a small number of suburbs.

The altitude of aircraft after departure will depend on factors such as the type of aircraft and its weight, how heavily laden it is with fuel and passengers, and the atmospheric conditions at the time. All these factors affect an aircraft’s climb rate. There is no regulated minimum altitude for an aircraft in the process of taking off.

Smart Tracking

A growing number of modern aircraft are now fitted with navigation systems that use satellite-assisted guidance which allow aircraft to fly with a higher degree of accuracy and more closely follow the same route as other aircraft. Airservices refers to these routes as ‘Smart Tracking’. Smart Tracking technology makes air travel safer, cleaner and more dependable. It also has the potential to improve noise outcomes for communities living close to airports.

In May 2013, Airservices implemented ten permanent Smart Tracking flight paths at Cairns. All but one of these tracks is within previously existing flight paths, and none fly directly over the city. The main benefit of Smart Tracking at Cairns is that more departing and arriving jets will be able to use the Richter’s Creek corridor north of the airport, which means that they avoid residential areas.

Flight path information

You can access historical information about flight path use through WebTrak. To access this information click the “Historical” link below the text in the Quick Start Guide at the top left-hand side of the screen. Then use the tick boxes at the bottom-right of the screen to select monthly, quarterly or yearly information. Use the sliders to refine your selection to specific timeframes.