Latrobe Airport

Latrobe, AU 🇦🇺 Closed Airport

ICAO

AU-0694

IATA

-

Elevation

12 ft

Region

AU-TAS

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: -41.235188° N, 146.39617° E

Continent: OC

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: LTB LTB

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

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Airport Information

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 24, 2025
Closure Date

Circa mid-to-late 1930s. The closure was not a single event but a gradual phasing out as air services progressively relocated to the new, superior Pardoe Aerodrome (now Devonport Airport) nearby.

Reason for Closure

The aerodrome was rendered obsolete and superseded by the development of the nearby Pardoe Aerodrome (now Devonport Airport, YDPO). The new location offered better all-weather capabilities, superior ground for runway construction, and more space for expansion to accommodate larger aircraft and growing commercial operations. The original Latrobe site was reportedly prone to flooding from the adjacent Mersey River, making it unreliable for scheduled services.

Current Status

The original site of the Latrobe Aerodrome has been completely repurposed over the last 80+ years. The land, located on the southern outskirts of Latrobe, is now used for agricultural and light industrial purposes. Satellite imagery of the coordinates shows farmland and large industrial sheds. There are no visible remnants of the original runway or any airport infrastructure. The region's aviation needs are fully served by the modern Devonport Airport (YDPO/DPO), located a few kilometers to the north.

Historical Significance

The Latrobe Aerodrome holds a significant place in Australian aviation history as one of Tasmania's earliest airfields. Its primary importance stems from being the original home base for Holyman's Airways, founded in 1932 by brothers Victor and Ivan Holyman. This pioneering airline began operations from this field, establishing some of the first regular commercial air services in Tasmania. Holyman's Airways grew rapidly and in 1936 merged to become the foundation of Australian National Airways (ANA), which for decades was Australia's largest domestic airline before it was eventually acquired by Ansett in 1957. Therefore, this small airfield was the cradle of an airline that shaped Australian commercial aviation. The ICAO code 'AU-0694' is a non-official identifier, likely from a historical airport database, as the airfield was closed long before the modern ICAO system was fully implemented.

Reopening Prospects

There are absolutely no plans or prospects for reopening the original Latrobe Aerodrome. Its function was permanently and more effectively replaced by Devonport Airport. The original land has been fully redeveloped, and there is no economic, logistical, or aviation-related need for a second airport in such close proximity.

Nearby Airports

Devonport Airport
DPO • YDPO
Devonport, AU
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~8 km away
Long Hill Airport
YLHL
NoneAU
Small Airport
~14 km away
The Vale Airport
YVAL
Sheffield, AU
Small Airport
~24 km away
Mole Creek Airport
YMLC
NoneAU
Small Airport
~34 km away
George Town Airport
GEE • YGTO
George Town, AU
Small Airport
~41 km away
Northwest Regional Hospital Helipad
YBUI
Burnie, AU
Heliport
~48 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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