Mount Hotham Airport is a small Australian regional airport, which serves the Victorian ski resort of Mount Hotham. It is Australia's highest-altitude airport.
History Developed by BCR Asset Management, construction of Mount Hotham Airport began in late 1998. The airport opened on 12 June 1999 with a 700-metre runway.Mount Hotham Australian Aviation issue 152 July 1999 page 22 It was officially opened by Premier Steve Bracks on 10 June 2000 by which time the runway had been extended to 1,460 metres.Airport heats up Mt Hotham Australian Financial Review 9 June 2000Mt Hotham Airport set to shine this winter Australian Aviation issue 174 July 2001 page 58
During the 2000 ski season, Eastern Australia Airlines and Southern Australia Airlines operated flights from Sydney and Melbourne respectively with Dash 8sQantas to the snow Australian Aviation issue 159 March 2000 page 16 During the 2001 season Eastern Australia, Southern Australia Airlines and Sunstate Airlines operated flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle.Mount Hotham Australian Aviation issue 172 May 2001 page 20
Until 2014, QantasLink operated flights from Sydney with Bombardier Q200s.Airline Briefs Australian Aviation issue 270 April 2010 page 17 QantasLink kicks off Mount Hotham snow season Qantas 28 June 2013Qantas in fight for life after 5000 jobs axed nationwide News.com.au 27 February 2014 As at 2024, it is only used by charter operators.Hotham Airport Mount Hotham
In January 2023, the airport was purchased by the Grollo family.$6m+ buyers of Mt Hotham Airport revealed Herald Sun 30 January 2023
Incidents On 8 July 2005, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain charter plane crashed into terrain while attempting to make a landing at the airport, killing the pilot and two passengers. Fragments of the aircraft were said to have dropped on the ground at the nearby sub-alpine community of Cobungra. Collision with terrain, Piper PA-31-350 VH-OAO at Mt Hotham Australian Transport Safety Board 24 August 2006
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