Armidale Airport remains closed except for aircraft with prior permission to operate.

This is to allow aircraft currently at the airport to depart and to also assist local aviation companies to relocate aircraft.

Serious medivac will continue to operate.

Inspections of the runway on February 17 revealed a new soft pavement area.

Flights will continue to operate out of Tamworth Airport and council will provide a bus service from the Armidale Airport to connect with those flights leaving and arriving in Tamworth.

By late tomorrow (February 19), the team working on the pavement will complete all known issues. Council is engaging specialist pavement strength contractors on Wednesday who will conduct testing for the issues we cannot see with the runway pavement.

This will determine if there are further soft spots that have yet to surface.

The pavement strength testing results will determine if the airport remains closed, opens for smaller aircraft, or reopens for unrestricted operations. If further works are required, they will be undertaken directly.

If the test results are good, Armidale regional Council will work with airline partners to reinstate flights directly into Armidale as soon as possible.

ARMIDALE AIRPORT BUS SCHEDULE

Wednesday, February 19

Depart Armidale                Depart Tamworth

7am                                      10.45am

9.30am                                 1.50pm

1.30pm                                 5.15pm

8.45pm

Thursday, February 20

Depart Armidale               Depart Tamworth

7am                                     10.45am

9.30am                                1.50pm

1.30pm                                5.15pm

8.45pm