Whitsunday Coast Airport Changes to Approach Procedures

This change has been implemented

Aerial image of Lake Proserpine with view of picnic area

What is going to change?

Airservices is modernising the approaches used for jet aircraft arriving to Runway 11 at Whitsunday Coast Airport as part of a national program.

Some residents may notice aircraft operating closer to them on approach to Runway 11 and may experience an increase in noise levels.

For more information on the changes please see our fact sheet.

Why are the changes necessary?

Since 2007, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has encouraged its members to implement approach procedures with vertical (straight up and down) guidance to improve safety for aircraft arriving at airports.

One way to do this is to make it possible for aircraft to use Baro-VNAV technology. BARO-VNAV stands for Barometric vertical navigation.

Baro-VNAV is a technology available on most large modern aircraft. It allows aircraft to land more smoothly, without using ground based navigation equipment. It also reduces the workload for pilots and decreases their reliance on visual assessments on approach, making landing safer. Baro-VNAV approaches reduce the frequency of an aircraft needing to complete a missed approach as they give pilots greater accuracy.

When will this change occur?

These improved approaches for jet aircraft will be implemented on 3 December 2020.

What is going to change?

Airservices is modernising the approaches used for jet aircraft arriving to Runway 11 at Whitsunday Coast Airport as part of a national program.

Some residents may notice aircraft operating closer to them on approach to Runway 11 and may experience an increase in noise levels.

For more information on the changes please see our fact sheet.

Why are the changes necessary?

Since 2007, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has encouraged its members to implement approach procedures with vertical (straight up and down) guidance to improve safety for aircraft arriving at airports.

One way to do this is to make it possible for aircraft to use Baro-VNAV technology. BARO-VNAV stands for Barometric vertical navigation.

Baro-VNAV is a technology available on most large modern aircraft. It allows aircraft to land more smoothly, without using ground based navigation equipment. It also reduces the workload for pilots and decreases their reliance on visual assessments on approach, making landing safer. Baro-VNAV approaches reduce the frequency of an aircraft needing to complete a missed approach as they give pilots greater accuracy.

When will this change occur?

These improved approaches for jet aircraft will be implemented on 3 December 2020.

This change has been implemented