Eagle Farm Airport

The closure was a planned replacement and expansion. The original Eagle Farm Aerodrome site was too small to accommodate the increasing size of modern jet aircraft (like the Boeing 747) and the rapid growth in passenger traffic. The location was also flood-prone and offered limited options for expansion. A new, much larger airport was constructed on adjacent, reclaimed land to the northeast to meet future aviation demands.

The site of the original Eagle Farm Airport has been completely redeveloped and is now an integral part of the greater Brisbane Airport precinct. The land where the old runways and terminal once stood is now a major commercial and industrial hub known as the 'Airport South Precinct'. It is occupied by:

- **Cargo and Logistics:** Major air freight and cargo terminals for Qantas Freight, Virgin Australia Cargo, and Toll.
- **Commercial Warehousing:** Numerous logistics, freight forwarding, and distribution centers.
- **Aviation Support:** Aircraft maintenance facilities, catering services, and corporate offices for aviation-related businesses.
- **Infrastructure:** The Gateway Motorway now runs across the alignment of the original north-south runway.

Several heritage-listed buildings from its WWII era, most notably Hangar 7, have been preserved as a link to its significant past. The 1970s-era international terminal building has also been repurposed for commercial use.

Eagle Farm Airport, originally known as Eagle Farm Aerodrome, holds immense historical significance for Australian aviation.

1. **Pioneering Aviation:** It was the landing site for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew in the 'Southern Cross' on June 9, 1928, upon completing the first-ever trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia. The aircraft was subsequently housed in Hangar 7.

2. **World War II Hub:** During WWII, the airport was massively expanded and became a critical Allied airbase, known as RAAF Station Eagle Farm. It was a major depot for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the South West Pacific theatre, used for aircraft assembly, maintenance, and as a major transport hub. It served as the arrival and departure point for thousands of troops and was the Australian base for General Douglas MacArthur.

3. **Brisbane's Gateway:** From the post-war era until 1988, it served as Brisbane's primary domestic and international airport, handling the city's first jet services and connecting Queensland to the rest of Australia and the world. The ICAO code 'AU-0629' is a non-standard identifier, likely from a flight simulator or historical database, used to distinguish it from the current Brisbane Airport (YBBN).

There are zero prospects for reopening the original Eagle Farm Airport. The site has been permanently and comprehensively redeveloped with critical infrastructure, including major roads, cargo terminals, and commercial buildings. The original runways no longer exist, and the land is now a vital part of the modern Brisbane Airport's logistics and commercial operations.