<h2 class="blog-hed2 pb-lg-4 pb-3 text-lg-center">History of Cairns International Airport</h2>
<p class="blog-para">Cairns Airport goes back to 1928 when Tom McDonald started flying his de Havilland Gipsy Moth off a sand ridge near the present airport. He could only land and take off between high tides. During one emergency, Tom was forced to take off from beer barrels. During World War II the Australian Government bought the airport for use by the Royal Australian Air Force. In 1943, the main runway was hard surfaced and lengthened to handle military aircraft. It was also used by the United States Army Air Forces as a transport base, with the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron (374th Troop Carrier Group) operating from the base during 1942. In 1949, the main runway was lengthened to 1,730 m (5,680 ft) to accommodate larger aircraft.</p>
<p class="blog-para">During the mid-1960s, the airport was upgraded and the runway further lengthened to 2,020 m (6,630 ft) and strengthened so jets could land.In February 2022, Bonza announced that the airport would become one of its 17 destinations with the airline planning to fly to the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and Mackay from Cairns.</p>
<p class="blog-para">In early 2023 it was announced that the International Terminal (Terminal 1) would undergo its first major upgrade in April 2023 to a value of AUD$40-50 million. The announced upgrades would be rolled out in stages to 'minimise passenger disruptions', the first of which would feature the installation of four new glass air-bridges and the re-cladding of the exterior of the building.</p>
<p><img class="img-fluid p-lg-0 rounded w-100" title="History of Cairns International Airport" src="../../main/img/airport/cair/34.webp" alt="History of Cairns International Airport"></p>
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<h2 class="blog-hed2 pb-lg-4 pb-3 pt-5">Ground Transportation from Cairns International Airport</h2>
<p class="blog-para">Cagliari Airport offers the following services to passengers:</p>
<ul class="blog-ul">
<li class="blog-li"><strong>Taxi: </strong>Ranks are located near both the International and Domestic Terminals. Cairns Taxis taxi ranks are located immediately outside the International and Domestic Terminals.</li>
<li class="blog-li"><strong>Bus:</strong> Airport shuttle bus services to hotels, city centre, Northern Beaches, Palm Cove, Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation are available.</li>
<li class="blog-li"><strong>Parking:</strong> Short-term and long-term parking, including a covered car park and parking for people with a disability are located within the public carparks adjacent to both the Domestic and International Terminals.</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="img-fluid p-lg-0 rounded w-100" title="Ground Transportation from Cairns International Airport" src="../../main/img/airport/cair/35.webp" alt="Ground Transportation from Cairns International Airport"></p>
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