Hobart Airport’s newly strengthened runway, taxiways and aircraft parking bay will enable the Tasmanian hub to host larger aircraft for future direct flights to and from Asia, expanding international route opportunities.
After 12 months, the upgraded runway officially opened on 5 August 2025, paving the way for Hobart Airport to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, for nonstop flights to Asian destinations like Singapore and Hong Kong.
It will also help secure Hobart’s place as Australia’s gateway to Antarctica and better support Australian Defence Force operations.
Hobart Airport is also currently undergoing a $200 million terminal expansion, allowing more seating and space for international and domestic passengers, more departure gates, a third security lane and baggage carousel and more food and retail outlets.
The terminal expansion is due for completion in early 2027. The current terminal has a design capacity of 1.5 million passengers per year, and is handling 2.8 million now with growth forecast to 3.5 million by 2030.
Nearly two-thirds of total passengers to and from Tasmania use HBA.
Air New Zealand will recommence its seasonal direct Hobart–Auckland service in October 2025 after launching HBA’s only international route last year.
Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter said that with the runway upgrade now live, he hopes to see flights between Hobart and Asia take off within the next few years.
“It’s early days, but we hope to see flights start within the next few years. The upgraded runway means that the sky’s the limit for passengers and freight to and from Hobart Airport,” he said.
“We already have international flights to Auckland and this upgraded runway now provides us the opportunity to take the airport to the next level and secure direct services to an Asian hub, such as Singapore or Hong Kong.”
For more info, head to hobartairport.com.au
