Armidale Airport in northern New South Wales has been closed until Sunday due to significant water-related problems affecting the runway pavement. The Armidale Regional Council reported that planned maintenance works inadvertently destabilised the runway, rendering it unsafe for aircraft operations. Consequently, all flights have been cancelled, leading to inconveniences for ticket holders who must alter their travel arrangements.
The council explained that ongoing scheduled maintenance caused excessive movement of machinery, which resulted in underground water destabilising the runway surface. They are committed to resolving the issue promptly by deploying all necessary resources to the airport. Key actions being taken include the installation of subsoil drainage and reconstruction of the damaged pavement areas.
The council acknowledged that preliminary investigations prior to maintenance did not reveal the underlying issues that led to the pavement’s failure. As part of the repairs, they will also address the related underground water complications and align these efforts with the existing maintenance activities. Additionally, bus services between Armidale and Tamworth have been arranged for passengers affected by the flight cancellations, providing an alternative means of transport to the nearby regional city.