Air traffic control system to change flight paths as part of major airport overhaul

BALLINA Byron Gateway Airport is set to introduce air traffic controllers as the region’s growing aviation traffic prompts a major overhaul of the local airspace.

The change will come into effect from Thursday 9 July.

It follows a 2022 review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which recommended the introduction of controlled airspace to improve safety and efficiency at the increasingly busy regional airport.

Currently, Ballina operates under uncontrolled airspace, where pilots are responsible for separating themselves from other aircraft using visual observation, radio communication and flight information provided by Airservices Australia.

From 9 July, all aircraft arriving at and departing from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport will instead be managed by Airservices Australia’s approach and aerodrome air traffic controllers.

The introduction of controlled airspace forms part of Airservices Australia’s broader airspace modernisation program, which aims to improve safety, efficiency and accessibility at major regional airports across the country.

The changes will also introduce new published flightpaths that guide aircraft in and out of the airport more efficiently.

Residents in Ballina, Alstonville, Lennox Head and surrounding areas may notice changes to aircraft movements once the new system comes into effect.

Airservices Australia acting head of community engagement Timothy Gill said the final flightpath design balanced safety, operational efficiency and environmental considerations.

“Airservices is committed to enhancing the safety and efficiency of Australia’s airspace,” he said.

“An important part of this process was listening to the regional community and minimising noise impacts where safe and practicable to do so.”

Airservices said extensive consultation with both the aviation industry and the community was undertaken between 2024 and 2025 before the flightpath design was finalised.

Noise monitors have also been placed in Lennox Head, Lynwood and Tucki Tucki as part of the process.

The monitors capture noise levels from current aircraft operations and will continue recording throughout the upcoming airspace changes, enabling comparison of noise levels before and after implementation of the new flight paths.

Live noise monitoring data can be viewed via WebTrak at au.webtrak.aero/bnk