Open Day Entertains 24,000 at Canberra Airport
A model of Australia’s new joint strike fighter jet, Virgin Australia and Qantas passenger planes, historical aircraft and aerobatic displays were the centrepieces of today’s Open Day at Canberra Airport.
Around 24,000 people attended the biennial event, which included many free family activities such as the petting zoo, face painting, and jumping castles.
Canberra Airport Managing Director Stephen Byron said: “We are really delighted that so many in the community visited us today. We hit our attendance record last time of 15,000 by 11am and reached around 24,000 at the peak of the day.
“The attractions have been hugely popular and there has been a real festival atmosphere all day.
“There is nowhere else in Australia where a major capital city airport enables its community to get so close to the action of a fully operational airport, and we are pleased to be able to offer that to our community.
“This has become a major event for families in Canberra and the surrounding region and tops off a fantastic week for us with the opening of the new terminal by the Prime Minister on Friday.”
Patrons waiting for airside tours and to see inside the many aircraft on display were treated to performances by buskers and aerobatic displays by a solo Roulette from the RAAF, as well as being airside for take-offs and landings of regular scheduled flights by Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Visitors were also able to view the Airport’s Master Plan and artist’s renditions of the new airport hotel.
“We would like to thank the community for supporting the day so strongly and for their patience with the queues and slower traffic that inevitably comes with managing the logistics of the sort of major event this has evolved into,” Mr Byron said.