Our History | Aeria

1980

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Bankstown Airport 27 May 1980

1987

First Blackhawk assembled in April and first flight of the PC9 RAAF trainer was in November.

1990

A steady programme of infrastructure development leads to an increase in flying schools, providing pilots for the future of Australian aviation

1992

Dakota National Air was formed in 1992 but ceased operations in 2003 after going bankrupt

2000

• The Sydney Olympic Torch visited Bankstown Airport.
• Widening of the northern taxiway (now known as TWY A)

2001

Bankstown Airport Limited (BAL) and Camden Airport Limited (CAL) separated from Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL)

2004

Bunnings was developed on Milperra Rd.

2006

• Closure of RWY 18/36
• Construction of Nancy Ellis Leebold Dr and TOLL Priority building

2010

Runway Centre was re-sheeted

2013

Taxiways renamed and MAGS installed

2015

TOLL Ambulance building developed

2017

Complete Aircrew Training System (CATS) as well as Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) facility with land and water winch training capabilities in the purpose-built training pool and water winching.

2019

New POLAIR Facility development began

2020

The airports are responsible for more than 6,000 full time local jobs, it will continue to be a major economic contributor for the Canterbury-Bankstown region for decades to come, and a vital link in the provision of aviation services for New South Wales.

Future

A new horizon …

1940

• Bankstown acquired as airfield site for Defence
• Site preparations begin
• Formal establishment of Bankstown Royal Australian Air Force station
• Bankstown was one of 125 airfields in NSW, and 1 of 23 in the NSW region

1941

• First aircraft arrived for assembly (Avro Ansons)
• First aircraft assembled and first two hangars completed
• First Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) trained at Bankstown
• Two more hangars and other facilities erected

1942

• United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Headquarters Squadron and 7 th Fighter Squadron
49 th Pursuit Group arrive with their P-40 Kittyhawk Fighter aircraft. Bankstown quickly became known as “Yankstown”.
• Establishment of Fighter Control Unit 1010 to co-ordinate fighter defence of Sydney.
• Completion of the American Hangar (building 114)

1943

• Construction of the de Havilland factory on the southern side of the airfield. The de Havilland plant created valuable jobs for the post-war economy
• Construction of the hospital

1945

• The Bankstown Bunker is commissioned as headquarters for the Air Defence of Sydney
• RAAF Bankstown is handed over to the British Royal Navy as HMS Nabberley
• Victor in the Pacific (VP day) and HMS Nabberley was involved in the return of Prisoners of War from Japanese camps and the disposal of aircraft

1948

• The de Havilland Drover flew for the first time at Bankstown
• Bankstown Airport came under the control of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA)

1944

• The first British Royal Navy contingent reached Bankstown to establish Her Majesty’s
Ship (HMS) Nabberley.

1946

• HMS Nabberley was closed and Bankstown was handed back to the RAAF
• The Royal Aero Club arrived at Bankstown from Mascot

1949

• The Bankstown Bunker ceased operations
• The first flight of the de Havilland Vampire

1950

• Floodlighting for the Air Traffic Control Tower.

1952

Floodlighting for the Air Traffic Control Tower

1953

Air traffic control Tower

1955

Bristol freighter was the first purpose-built civilian heavy freight aircraft

1956

Closure of migrant camps

1961

• First Victa Airtourer flew. Aircraft was designed and built at Bankstown.
• Bankstown tower

1962

• 3 runway directions (11/29 & 18/36 & 05/23)
• Second parallel runway in the 11/29 directions.
• Main runway upgraded to allow for Sea Venom jets to operate.