﻿ Karratha Airport, KTA

Karratha Airport, KTA

Airport Name: Karratha Airport
Airport Type: Medium Airport
Elevation: 9 metres.
Municipiality: Karratha, Region: Western Australia, Country: Australia
Wikipedia link: KTA Airport on Wikipedia

Karratha Airport has the distinction of being the busiest regional air hub in the Western Australia region. Next to Perth Airport, it is the busiest airport in terms of passenger movement, handling a total of 671,000 travelers in 2011. It is one of the fast-growing airports in the country that in 2008, it became the 18th busiest airport in Australia despite being a young airport. It is located 14km from central Karratha, and a mere 8km from the city of Dampier.


Not much can be told about the history of this relatively new airport except that it was opened in 1983. Compared to most regional airports in Western Australia, Karratha Airport has the most desirable and strategic location as a gateway to the north of the Western Australia, specifically in the Pilbara region, where most of the rich mineral deposits are found.

The development of an airport in Karratha was therefore necessary as it hosts to some of the most populated centers of the region and the thriving iron ore and gas industries. Because of its relatively long distance from major population centers, rail is not a very popular mode of transportation to transport people who work in the mining and oil industries there. Thus, the need of a good airport was recognized. So in 1983, the Karratha Airport was opened. The airport has been upgraded once in 1998 that saw the expansion of the car park capacity. A redevelopment in 2011 involved the improvement of all its services.


The airport has a single runway 08/26, which measures 2,280m long with an asphalt surface. It can handle medium-size aircraft. The airport is also heavily used by helicopter operators.


Karratha Airport has a modern terminal building that houses both arrivals and departures areas. For passengers who want to take a bite before or after their flight, they can do so at the lone cafe and bar facility inside the building.

Flights and Destinations

Four regional and one national air carrier operates out of Karratha Airport several flights daily. They include Qantas, QantasLink, Airnorth, Skywest and Virgin Australia. All but Airnorth have regular daily connections to Perth, the state's capital. Qantas also has direct flights to other major destinations such as Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Airnorth flies out to Broome, Port Hedland, and Darwin, while Skywest has air link to Geraldtone.

Transport to and from the Airport

Available ground transports include an airport shuttle service for the utmost convenience of the passengers. Taxis and charter operators are also available.

Karratha Airport Arrivals

Karratha Airport Departures
