Warren Entsch (Leichhardt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Cairns Airport has been named the Major Airport of the Year at the Australian Airports Association National Airport Industry Awards for 2024. This marks the second year in a row that the Cairns Airport has received this prestigious recognition.

This year's award is particularly meaningful, as it recognises the airport's determination and resilience during an unprecedented flooding in December last year, following Cyclone Jasper. For the first time, floodwaters breached the airport's levee, forcing its closure and creating an enormous challenge for the team. Within two days, they'd pumped the water from the runway, cleared the debris and inspected critical infrastructure, allowing the airport to reopen and serve our region.

Beyond the immediate recovery, Cairns Airport has continued to deliver significant international growth for our region. This achievement reflects the airport's commitment to innovation and resilience and its role as the key gateway to tropical North Queensland.

I'd like to commend the Cairns Airport's chief executive, Richard Barker, and his entire team for their unwavering dedication, their efforts during the flooding and their ongoing focus on excellence. They are certainly setting a very high benchmark in the aviation industry. Congratulations again for a job very well done.