Portfolio Budget Statements 2005-06
Fact Sheet: Antarctic Air Link
- Australia claims nearly six million kilometres of Antarctica's total 13.5 million square kilometres – roughly the size of Australia without Queensland, and the largest Antarctic claim of any nation.
- Australia is a world leader in Antarctic research, in the fields of marine science, global climate change and Antarctic conservation. Through better understanding of Antarctic systems and ecosystems, we can plan for the challenges of global climate change and better understand the likely impacts on our weather, climate, our oceans and sea levels and our national ecosystems.
- Each year around 200 Australian scientists and support personnel are based over summer at the three permanent Antarctic research stations: Mawson, Davis and Casey.
- They can be based at stations for up to 18 months at a time, cut off from support by the remote location and harsh conditions. Travel to the continent is only possible in summer months, and only accessible by sea at present.
- The Australian Government is committing $46.3 million over four years to construct a new 3.6 kilometre glacial blue-ice runway near the Casey station and fund the Air Link. This will allow an intercontinental jet aircraft service to run between Hobart and the Antarctic, reducing the dependence on sea travel.
- The new Antarctic jet aircraft link is designed to move between 200 and 400 passengers and high priority cargo each season, with around 18 passengers transported on each flight.
- The first stage of the air transport system began in the summer of 2004-05, with flights linking each Australian station – Casey, Davis and Mawson – through the introduction of two ski equipped CASA-212 aircraft, Gadget and Ginger - named after the last two huskies that served with Australian scientist and polar explorer Douglas Mawson on his 1911–14 expedition.
- The new intercontinental air link will improve Australia's ability to conduct cutting edge research and for the first time provides a more efficient and flexible transport system.
- The aircraft will also provide a rapid evacuation capability which will help combat some of the harshest challenges that face Australian researchers stationed in this frozen continent.
- The runway will operate during the summer period and be capable of supporting flights every seven to 10 days.
- Flights will cover the 3440 kilometre (1859 nautical miles) distance between Hobart and Casey and take nine to 10 hours for a return trip.
Budget statements
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