Operations - Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

AIRPORT OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES

Operational information at our airport is provided below for airlines, operators and aviation stakeholders. This section outlines key aerodrome details, aircraft parking and landing procedures, airport fees and charges, crane activity approvals and drone regulations relevant to operations within the airport environment.

AERODROME INFORMATION

Basic operational information for Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is provided below. For detailed information, please refer to the AirServices Australia publication En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA).

Runway

06/24

TODA / Width / PCR

1900m / 30m / 225

Runway strip

150m

Taxiways

TWY A–D

Apron – RPT’s Bay 2-4, Itinerant's Bay 1 & 2

with prior approval

GA Apron – MTOW 5700kg

MaMax w/span 15 m and max length 11 m

Navigational Aids

NDB and PAPI

Surveillance Flight Information Service

CTAF 124.2

AIRCRAFT PARKING & LANDING

We can accommodate ad hoc and itinerant parking requests when a Flight Operations Approval form has been correctly completed and submitted by email to airport.ops@ballina.nsw.gov.au

Your submission will need to include Operator Details, Aircraft Details, Proposed Movement Schedule and Type of Operation Please note that it is the operator’s responsibility to arrange ground handling and refuelling if required.

Click button below to download the BBGA Itinerant Aircraft Landing and Parking Request form

LANDING AND PARKING FORM

AIRPORT FEES AND CHARGES

Airport fees and charges are updated annually by Ballina Shire Council as part of the 2025/2026 Fees and Charges Schedule. The schedule outlines applicable charges for:

• RPT operators under individual commercial agreements
• Passenger service and security screening charges
• General Aviation landing and circuit training fees
• Aircraft parking including GA, RPT apron and maintenance
• Airside access permits, supervision and call out fees
• Ground transport access permits and public car parking

All fees are subject to annual review by Council. For the full schedule of current Airport Fees and Charges, please view pages 4-7 in the 2025/2026 Fees and Charges document as per link below.

AIRPORT FEES & CHARGES

CRANES | AERODROME REGULATIONS

Crane operations within Ballina Shire have the potential to create an air safety hazard and significantly impact the operation of our airport. Any crane activity within the area covered by the Airport’s Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) must be referred to Airport management for assessment.

The area extent of the OLS can be found on the Ballina Shire Council Online Mapping System as per LINK, which allows any property address to be checked against the OLS Planning Constraint overlay. If you’re unsure, please check with the Airport’s management team before proceeding.

How to apply for assessment? Applications for crane operations should be submitted using a Crane Assessment Form, lodged with Airport management at least 28 days before the proposed activity. Please click on link below for more information.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

OPERATIONS – DRONES

Drones, also referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) are becoming increasingly popular and more affordable worldwide. In Australia this has led to a growing number of drones being flown for both recreational and commercial purposes.

Airport Drone Zones

We support and encourages drone operators to familiarise themselves with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules governing drone use. Their primary purpose is to ensure aviation safety is maintained and drone operators are taking responsibility for ensuring the safety of their operations and of the surrounding airspace.

Drone operators are responsible for ensuring that their flights comply with Civil Aviation Safety Authority Rules. Penalties can be tough for flying drones outside of aviation rules or without the correct permissions.

Rules relating to the airportand recreational drone use are:

You must not begin flying within 5.5 kilometres of a non-controlled aerodrome if there is a manned aircraft operating to or from the aerodrome.
If you become aware that a manned aircraft is operating to or from the aerodrome, you must safely manoeuvre your drone clear of its path and land as soon as safely possible.

Please note that operational conditions will be updated following the classification of Ballina Byron Gateway Airport as a controlled aerodrome, expected in approximately June–July 2026.

For more information visit link below.

CASA WEBSITE