Lake Macquarie History

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Construction of Aeropelican, Belmont

  • Construction of Aeropelican, Belmont

    Photo Ref: 5105

    Aeropelican Airline was established on 23 October 1968 and started operations on 1 July 1971. The airport at Pelican is located between the Lake Macquarie suburbs of Belmont and Swansea and is approximately 15 km south of Newcastle, New South Wales. It sits on a narrow peninsula between the Pacific Highway and a shallow tidal inlet that forms the entrance to Lake Macquarie. The Airline and Airport was initially leased and developed by Mr Keith Hilder, an aviation enthusiast, who initially decided to use it for a flying school and Air Charter. Mr Hilder promoted his ideas of introducing a local charter passenger service with authorities from 1962 and it was not until 1967 that an exemption was finally granted thus giving the green light for a passenger service. . It was on July 1st 1971 that Aeropelican became a genuine passenger commuter service. Aeropelican commenced Sydney services from the northern Williamtown airport on March 1, 2004 and discontinued services from Belmont Airport in March 2005. Since its constuction the 15-hectare airport site has changed owner ship several times and is currently owned by a private consortium that plans to use it for charter operations, skydiving and adventure flights.

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