Airservices Australia has revised the timing of the implementation of controlled airspace at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.
In order to safely accommodate the continued growth of air traffic in the region, Ballina airspace will transition from the current uncontrolled airspace – where pilots self-separate using visual observation, communication procedures and flight information provided by Airservices– to all aircraft movements being managed within controlled airspace by Airservices’ approach and aerodrome control services.
Originally slated for 27 November 2025 – and following approval from our regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) – the commencement date for the aerodrome control service at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport has now been moved to 11June 2026.
The approach control service and introduction of Class D airspace will also be aligned to this timeframe.
A detailed analysis of the proposed site for the initial control service identified a number of infrastructure challenges, including line-of-sight obstructions.
Airservices is actively working on identifying an alternative site and refining the delivery plan to ensure the location and infrastructure for the aerodrome control solution is fit-for-purpose and meets regulatory requirements.
The introduction of controlled airspace at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport follows a 2022 CASA airspace review, which included extensive industry feedback.
In recent years, airspace safety around Ballina Airport has been enhanced through improvements which include Surveillance Flight Information Service (SFIS), implementation of an additional Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) ground station and changes to radio frequencies to reduce congestion.
Until the new air traffic control service introduction, Airservices will continue to provide the Surveillance Flight Information Service (SFIS) to ensure the safety of airspace operations at Ballina.
Airservices has conducted extensive community consultation on the flightpath design to support the introduction of controlled airspace around Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, and the community now have the opportunity to comment on the final designs when they are released in coming weeks. Visit Ballina Airport – Introduction of controlled airspace | Engage Airservices
About Airservices
Airservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and work closely with our customers and industry to support the long-term growth of the aviation industry.
