Lord Howe Island Airport is an airport providing air transportation to Lord Howe Island. It is operated by the Lord Howe Island Board. Prior to its opening in September 1974, Lord Howe Island was served by flying boats from Rose Bay Water Airport. The pending cessation of flying boat operations prompted the NSW Government and the then Australian Department of Transport to engage the Australian Army Corps of Engineers to build a grass runway, thus allowing land-based aircraft to operate to the island.

Light aircraft transit

Lord Howe Island (along with Norfolk Island) is an important transit and refueling point for light aircraft flying between Australia and New Zealand. Located 600 km to the west is the Australian mainland, and 900 km to the east is Norfolk Island Airport which is within range of New Zealand to the southeast and New Caledonia to the north. These countries are within the range of many light aircraft when fitted with extra fuel tanks and operating via the two islands, but not while flying directly between them. From New Caledonia, other Pacific nations such as Vanuatu and Fiji are within range and can be used as further 'stepping stones' to other South Pacific and North Pacific destinations.

Facilities

The airport's elevation above mean sea level is 17 ft and it has one runway, measuring 886 x.

Airlines and destinations

Statistics

Lord Howe Island Airport served 33,385 revenue passengers during financial year 2009–2010, ranking it 64th amongst airports in Australia.