Wagga Wagga City Council, Media Release, 21 May 2021

Upgraded taxiways designed to accommodate Regional Express, Qantas and larger passenger aircraft at Wagga Wagga Airport has opened to air traffic this week.

The scope of the project included widening and strengthening the existing taxiways and extending taxiway A to the runway end to allow for the passenger traffic to enter onto the runways without having to perform a turnback to take-off.

The taxiways will improve the efficiency of the airport with aircraft spending less time on the runway, as the taxiway configuration now allows access for aircraft to the end of the runways.

The $5.7 million project was majority funded by the NSW State Government with contribution from Wagga Wagga City Council.

Manager Council Businesses Darryl Woods said the project is a boost to the city and will provide efficiencies for passenger aircraft departing and arriving as well as provide a better outcome for pilot training companies that operate from the airport.

“Wagga Wagga Airport has a high percentage of trainee flights with the REX group’s Australian Airline Pilots Academy, Wagga Air Centre and other smaller training providers turning out pilots to take command both in Australia and overseas,” Mr Woods said.

Mr Woods also thanked the State Government for its funding contribution in delivering the project.

“Council is continuing to work closely with the State and Federal governments to secure funding to upgrade the terminal facilities to bring the terminal up to the standards of other regional centres of Albury and Dubbo,” he said.