Moruya Airport

Moruya Airport (IATA: MYA, ICAO: YMRY) is an airport located 3.5 NM (6.5 km; 4.0 mi) northeast[1] of Moruya, New South Wales, Australia

Moruya Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorEurobodalla Shire Council
LocationMoruya, New South Wales
Elevation AMSL17 ft / 5 m
Coordinates35°53′52″S 150°08′40″E
Map
YMRY
Location in New South Wales
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
18/36 1,523 4,997 Asphalt
05/23 827 2,713 Bitumen
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[1]

History

Royal Australian Air Force

The airport was established in 1942 by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as RAAF Base Moruya. Three runways were laid out adjacent to the mouth of the Moruya River. Moruya was home to No. 11 Operational Base Unit to provide support for RAAF aircraft utilising the airfield.

Skydiving

In 2001, Moruya Airport was officially established as a Skydiving Centre.

2019-20 bushfire emergency

In December 2019, the region was under the threat of a catastrophic bushfire, which ultimately cut Batemans Bay off from all external road links, isolating the town.[2]

Due to the difficult mountainous terrain surrounding Batemans Bay, much of the firefighting efforts could only be fought from the air, with a number of firefighting aircraft tasked to defend the town. With the difficulties of the highway closures cutting the town off from outside links on the ground, Moruya Airport proved to be a vital resource in the protection of the local region from the devastating bushfires.

Expansion

Eurobodalla Shire Council is planning to enlarge the terminal, increase the size of the apron, extend the runway and build a parallel taxiway.[3][4]

Emergency services

Moruya Airport is a regional hub for a variety of emergency services, providing vital services for the local region that otherwise would not exist without the airport.

Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service has had a base at Moruya Airport since 2010, providing emergency rescue services with specialist medical crews and lifesaving beach patrols along the coast.[5]

Firefighting aircraft

During the bushfire seasons, fleets of firefighting aircraft are stationed at Moruya Airport to aid in bushfire protection.[6]

Toll air ambulance

Toll SouthCare Helicopter and Air Ambulance Services service the region with the use of Moruya Airport's facilities.[7]

Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia occasionally operates out of Moruya Airport, providing medical transfers for local patients.

Airlines and destinations
AirlinesDestinations
Regional Express Merimbula, Sydney[8]

See also

References
  1. YMRY – Mourya (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 2 Dec 2021, Aeronautical Chart Archived 11 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "This town should be full of tourists — instead it's full of smoke". 21 December 2019.
  3. Thistleton, John (29 December 2012). "Larger airport may put Moruya on map". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  4. "Tourism and hospitality industries encouraged to have their say on Moruya airport". 2EC News. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  5. https://www.lifesaver.org.au/moruya-south-coast/
  6. "Major Fire Updates – Tuesday 28th January – Bega Valley, Snowy Monaro and Eurobodalla Shires".
  7. "About Us".
  8. "Route Network". Regional Express. Retrieved 23 December 2008.


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