Free parking offered as new identity takes flight!
Shellharbour City Council has renamed Illawarra Regional Airport to Shellharbour Airport. The updated name better reflects the ownership and locality of one of the city’s most important assets.
The new name and logo more accurately capture the airport’s location within the Shellharbour City local government area.
Mayor of Shellharbour City, Councillor Marianne Saliba, is thrilled with the airport’s new identity.
To celebrate, the Mayor announced Council is offering free parking at the airport for the next three months. The promotion further encourages travellers who live local to fly local.
“Our community is extremely fortunate to have an airport located within our beautiful city,” Cr Saliba said.
“As part of cementing our identity as a rapidly growing tourism and transport hub, it is important our largest assets – including the Shellharbour Marina – promote Shellharbour City as a destination.
“I know plenty of people from the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands have enjoyed flying with the airline.
“I encourage the community to keep supporting this wonderful service, which offers huge time savings and value for money.
“I am pleased that Council is able to offer free parking for airport customers for the next three months as part of our service to the community,” Cr Saliba said.
Fly Corporate provides 32 flights per week direct to Melbourne and Brisbane. The airline boasts above average on-time performance.
Follow Shellharbour Airport on social media available on Facebook and Instagram @shellharbourairport.
AIRPORT IS THRIVING
The Shellharbour Airport is home to a diverse range of successful businesses including regular passenger services and a light aeronautics industry that provide tourism, maintenance and engineering services for aircraft ranging from ultra-light to medium size turbo prop and jet aircraft.
Early this year, Council secured $15.97 million funding from the NSW Government’s Growing Local Economies program, as part of the Regional Growth Fund, for additions and upgrades to the airport.
Cr Saliba said the grant would help fund construction of a new passenger terminal building, aviation business park and upgrades to short and long-term carparks.
“The airport plays a key role as a driver of economic growth in the region. Development has always been aimed at generating direct and indirect employment via the promotion of tourism, education, maintenance and other transport-related industries,” Cr Saliba said.
“The airport has growth capacity to significantly add to the region’s economy. We need to promote the numerous tourism and adventure activities within the airport, which encourages business activity, community events, tourism and economic growth. This benefits the whole region.”
HISTORY OF THE AIRPORT
Came into Council’s ownership in 1962. Historically significant for the part it played during World War 2, protecting Port Kembla and for RAAF training.
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) commenced development of their hangar and museum in 2000, exhibiting some of the oldest operating aircraft in the world.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the airport in 1970 as part of her tour of Australia.
