Alice Springs Airport - ASP Alice Springs
The Alice Springs Airport is based in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, in Australia, and has an airport code of ASP. It was officially inaugurated as the commercial terminal it is today in 1958. Previously, it housed Connellan Airways, and was a main base for aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. The airport only caters to domestic flights but still remains one of Australia’s top 20 busiest airports.
Best Time to Visit
The Alice Springs Airport has had a turbulent history as far as domestic airports go. Apart from previously being a military base, the Alice Springs Airport is infamous for being the site of Australia’s first domestic hijacking. In 1972, the inbound Ansett Airlines Flight 232 was ready for descent when the plane was hijacked by Miloslav Hrabinec, resulting to one police officer wounded. Five years later, a former employee of the then Connellan Airways committed suicide by flying a stolen craft right into the airport complex. Despite this, the terminal still accommodates hundreds of thousands of passengers a year. They travel from the airport to surrounding cities and sites, including Gillen, Burt Plain, Mount Johns, and Desert Springs.
What to Do & Area Attractions
The two nearest accommodations to Alice Springs Airport are BIG4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park and Heritage Caravan Park - each at approximately 5 miles from the airport. The Squeakywindmill Boutique Tent B&B is highly rated by guests, providing a balanced experience between the Australian outdoors and comfortable amenities.