Airport Facilities

Launceston Airport
Launceston Airport is situated in the Northern Midlands.  The airport has experienced a 72.7% increase in passenger numbers in the period 2001/2002 and 2005/2006: as follows:

Year	Passenger numbers	% change
2001/02	534,000	+1.7%
2002/03	578,000	+8.3%
2003/04	670,000	+15.8%
2004/05	820,000	+22.5%
2005/06	920,000	+12%

Bell Bay Port
Bell Bay Port is located close to the mouth of the Tamar River, approximately 60kms north of Launceston. The port has a deep harbour, and ready access to road and rail networks. Bell Bay is Tasmania's main import/export distribution centre.

Roads and Rail
The Northern Midlands is bisected by the main highway between Hobart and Launceston. The Launceston Airport and adjacent TRANSlink commercial and industrial precinct have easy access to the State's major arterial roads, and are centrally located within the State.

A narrow gauge rail network connects the State to its centres and ports. The privately owned Tasrail is the heavy bulk haul operator.