QT Kids - Queensland Government

An image of a passenger jet parked on a runway

Today, people travel in hot air balloons for enjoyment. Advances in technology have resulted in faster, larger and safer aeroplanes. In 1941, the introduction of the turbo jet engine heralded the beginning of the jet age. To accommodate the increase in passenger numbers, jet aircraft have become bigger and faster. The Boeing 747 Jumbo Jets can carry over 300 passengers and they were the largest passenger aircraft in the world until October 2007, with the introduction of the Airbus A380. Today, aeroplanes are used to transport people and goods all around the world in a very short amount of time.

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Aeroplanes – passenger jets and light aircraft
Helicopters

Aeroplanes – passenger jets and light aircraft

Queensland has approximately 130 airports, including four international airports (Cairns, Brisbane, Coolangatta and Townsville). Queensland Transport helps local councils to achieve the best planning and environmental results for airports and airstrips. Queensland Transport also provides financial support to rural airports.

The aviation industry has been through many changes recently, the most notable being the deregulation of the industry. This means that the government does not have control of the airline companies that are permitted to operate in Australia. It also means that foreign owned companies such as Tiger Airlines, which is a Singaporean company can fly domestic routes (from one city to another within Australia).

As a result of deregulation, the major airline operating in Queensland is QANTAS. QANTAS is both a domestic and international airline, which means it flies both within and beyond Australia. QANTAS is the oldest airline in the English speaking world. QANTAS owns Jetstar, which is a low cost airline that operates across Australia and parts of Asia, as well as Sunstate, which provides flights to regional Queensland towns such as Barcaldine, Biloela, Blackall, Blackwater, Bundaberg, Cairns, Charleville, Emerald, Gladstone, Hamilton Island, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Mackay, Rockhampton and Roma. A much newer company, Virgin Blue, operates Australia's second largest airline. Virgin Blue began flying in Australia in 2000.

As well as these major companies, Queensland has a number of regional airlines that provide transport of passengers and freight around our huge state. As some areas in Queensland are so remote, companies sometimes charter flights to reduce travel time between towns. These companies provide a vital service to isolated towns ensuring that they can access fresh fruit and vegetables and other groceries as well as convenient transport should people need to travel to a major city quickly.

Those living in the Outback also depend on the light aircraft that are used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This service not only allows doctors and nurses to visit properties and small towns that do not have a doctor, but also transports sick and injured people who are a long way from hospital.

Other reasons we use light aircraft are for pilot training, police work, carrying business people to country towns and helping the Coastguard patrol the seas around our coastline.

Helicopters

Today, helicopters are used for a variety of jobs like traffic and beach patrols, television filming, rescue operations, transporting the sick and injured to medical facilities and even rounding up cattle. With Queensland being the Sunshine State, helicopters are common sights patrolling our beaches and coastline, alerting surf lifesavers of shark sightings and assisting rescues in rough seas.