Giant plane hints at Hedland air hub

Hedland’s new airport boss says the touchdown of the world’s second-largest freight plane last week was more than just a sightseeing spectacle for local residents.

The Antonov An-124’s arrival also highlighted how airport operators planned to turn Hedland into a freight hub for the North West, Port Hedland International Airport Group of Companies chief executive Mitchell Cameron said.

“The new owners ... (are) developing a master plan which will include a freight precinct and that will include small parcels and letters ... right up to the second-biggest aircraft in the world, which can take major loads,” he said.

“We can already do that now, we would just like a better facility to do that from (and) that’s the major plank of our expansion going forward.

“It’s a major step for Port Hedland to be ready for that ... it’s the only airport that’s got the international connectivity, Eastern States connectivity ... and this adds another level to it with the freight.”

His comments are the first indication the consortium of private investors now managing Hedland airport on a 50-year lease have given of their long-term plans to expand the facility’s operations.

Mr Cameron said work was under way for the freight hub, with small and large freight companies already expressing interest in connecting Hedland into their freight networks.

“The benefit of the freight operation is we can take the largest planes, unload them here on site and have them delve out to virtually anywhere in the area,” he said.

Bushjade Holdings director Shane Black, whose company specialises in airport ground handling and international freight operations, said big players in the oil and gas industry were already realising the potential of Port Hedland as an air freight hub.

“The payload that came in (on the Antonov An-124)'''' was 48 tonnes for Woodside Petroleum that was picked up in Derbyshire in the UK on March 26 and delivered here on March 28,” he said.

“Woodside, Chevron, BHP Billiton — all these big, major players are realising the benefit of Port Hedland as a freight hub.

“When the freight lands here, it’s in the area within hours, not days ... compared to having to fly into Perth and unload and come back.

“It saves (the client) a considerable amount of money ... we’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings.”

Mr Black said the presence of the Antonov An-124 at the PHIA'''' had attracted a lot of public interest.

“It weighs approximately 408 tonnes fully loaded and has a crew of 12 to 15 people,” he said.

“It’s the second-biggest freight plane in the world ... three helicopters could go into the belly of that plane.

“It’s exciting to see that here.”