A major $32.4 million upgrade to Whyalla Airport has been completed, ensuring the continuation of essential air services and paving the way for larger aircraft and future regional growth.
The project was jointly funded by the Australian Government ($16.2 million), South Australian Government ($13.8 million) and Whyalla City Council ($2.4 million), and included strengthening of the runway and the installation of a new airfield lighting system.
Delivered ahead of schedule and under budget by Fulton Hogan, the works mean 74-seat Q400 aircraft can now operate in and out of Whyalla — enabling faster travel times and more passengers per flight.
The upgrade is expected to significantly boost economic opportunities in the region, with Premier Peter Malinauskas describing the investment as a sign of confidence in Whyalla’s long-term future. Federal Minister Tim Ayres noted the project also injected around $4 million directly into the local economy, with a 90 per cent local material use rate and more than 100 Whyalla locals employed on-site.
Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone praised the collaboration between all levels of government and contractors, calling it a win for both the city and state.
Member for Giles Eddie Hughes said the upgrade was vital to Whyalla’s connectivity. “Whyalla would not have any commercial airline servicing our community, and that would have had some real implications. It’s an essential service and necessity, and that’s why it’s been funded,” he said.
The airport currently services more than 50,000 passengers annually, many of them workers, and is seen as a key asset in Whyalla’s economic development.
