First-ever passenger jet lands at Marble Bar as Shire unveils huge airport upgrades

The first-ever direct passenger jet from Perth has touched down in Marble Bar as the Shire unveiled its huge airport expansion. Alliance Airlines Fokker F70 landed on the upgraded runway at Marble Bar Airport at 8.15am on Friday and was welcomed by local residents and industry members from the town. The new runway, which was opened on the same day, is 2150m long, 30m wide and has the capacity for larger jet aircraft including 180-seat Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. Shire of East Pilbara chief executive Steven Harding said the expansion would provide residents with a safer and more efficient way to travel to Perth “Today marks a historic day in Marble Bar aviation, with the arrival of the first ever passengers direct from Perth into Marble Bar, carrying workers for Calidus Resources’ Warrawoona gold project,” he said. “The Shire has worked in partnership with Calidus Resources and Atlas Iron to bring forward the delivery of this CASA-certified runway and airport facilities, to improve efficiency and safety in the mining industry, to create a fast link for local residents to travel to Perth, and open up a wealth of economic and tourism development opportunities for Marble Bar and the East Pilbara.” Before the expansion, the airport was only suitable for small aircraft with up to 12 seats. Starting next year, limited seats will be available on mining charter flights for Marble Bar residents with booking and pricing arrangements still to be finalised. Mr Harding said the upgraded airport would provide new opportunities for domestic and international visitors to the region. “The new airport provides a range of exciting economic and tourism development opportunities for this unique part of the world and the Shire is very pleased to back Marble Bar and its economic future with this significant improvement in local infrastructure,” he said. The airport also installed a new precision approach path indicator landing system to guide aircraft for visual landings. A temporary terminal building and facilities were also installed on the site. The old airstrip was 1240m long, 23m wide, and was last surveyed in 1975.