Bendigo Airport (Victoria)
History
In 2017, Bendigo Airport was upgraded with a new 1.6 km north-south runway, new taxiway system, new lighting and signage.
In December 2019, QantasLink announced it would operate regular passenger transport flights to Sydney with flights commencing in March 2019. The flights operated for 12 months before being suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Flights resumed in December 2020.
In 2022, construction on a new terminal building commenced with the works to deliver a new, larger building with a check-in foyer, cafe, departure gates and provision for a security screening area. The first stage of the new terminal development opened in June 2023 with the old terminal building demolished shortly after.
Facilities
Bendigo Airport has a modern terminal building which is located on the western side.
The airport has 25 private hangars for small aircraft. The hangars are located at the north of the terminal.
Airlines and destinations
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| QantasLink | Sydney |
Statistics
| Bendigo Airport statistics | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Domestic passengers | Aircraft movements | Notes | |
| 2019 | 18,822 | 513 | Passenger services commenced on 31 March 2019. | |
| 2020 | 5,689 | 207 | ||
| 2021 | 6,738 | 414 | ||
| 2022 | 20,720 | 833 | ||
| 2023 | 18,812 | 720 | ||
Other operators
- Air Ambulance Victoria
- Bendigo Aviation Services (BAS)
- Bendigo Flying Club (BFC)
- Bendigo Recreational Aviation School
- RMIT Flight Training School
Accidents and incidents
- On 19 May 2015, a Cirrus SR22T registered VH-EPG from Moorabbin to Mildura declared a PAN PAN after smoke built up in the cockpit. On approach the aircraft cleared a row of trees and made a final landing on runway 17. Emergency crews responded to the emergency. The pilot and passenger were not injured.
- On 17 December 2017, an ultralight plane crashed during takeoff. The aircraft was registered 23-8769. The pilot and the instructor were taken to Bendigo Hospital with minor injuries. Emergency services were called to the scene. The cause of the crash remains unknown. Recreational Aviation Australia investigated the accident.
- On 15 August 2019, an ultralight plane experienced a hard landing resulting in a nose wheel collapse during a training flight. The aircraft was an ICP Savannah registered 24-7795. The main north–south runways 17/35 were closed for 3 hours. En-route aircraft were diverted to nearby airstrips. Emergency services responded and firefighters used foam on a small fuel leak from the plane. The two pilots were uninjured.