The OneSKY-CMATS system, which aims to unify air traffic management across Australia’s civil and military airspace, is slated to go live in the third quarter of 2027, with controllers to be trained on the new equipment starting in March next year.
The upgrades, expected to begin early this year, will allow the airport to handle larger aircraft such as QantasLink Dash 8 Q400s. Burnie is currently served by QantasLink, Rex, and Sharp Airlines flights.
The green light marks the final regulatory hurdle that needed to be cleared and follows the Australian Space Agency granting the company a launch licence in November.
Fifteen months after the first aircraft commenced flying in 2023, the completion of essential testing, evaluation and training activities has occurred alongside the establishment of a robust fleet support and maintenance system.
The airport in northern Tasmania saw 159,032 passengers in January 2025, while 2 January was its busiest-ever day with 6,114 passengers, the first time it had handled more than 6,000 passengers in a single day. It comes after 2024 was Launceston’s best…
