The role of the airport was critical – from bringing in relief workers and crucial medical and food supplies to evacuating women and children, and keeping Darwin connected with the outside world.

Long-term airport employee and history buff Bob Calaby says of the coordinated and community-focussed response: “It was a massive and united effort, which ultimately became the largest airlift in Australian history.

“Everyone worked quickly to come together and rapidly respond to what remains one of Darwin’s most significant natural disasters.”

There were an estimated 40,000 people in Darwin at the time Cyclone Tracy hit.

In the five days after, more than 25,000 people were evacuated through Darwin airport. Most were women and children.

Every aircraft available was used – from the RAAF, United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, Qantas, TAA, Ansett, MacRobertson Miller Airlines, Bush Pilots Airways and Connair.

Pilots worked tirelessly to transport displaced Darwinites left without running water, sanitation, electricity or shelter, mostly interstate, flying straight back to Darwin to collect the next group of evacuees.

Reduced baggage and freight numbers meant some aircraft even carried nearly twice the number of passengers – a 747-200 carried 674 passengers instead of the usual 371.

Mr Calaby says he has heard that community spirit was strong, even in the aftermath of such a devastating event.

“There’s a story about a small boy waiting to be evacuated who was found in tears clutching his puppy. When the pilot asked him what was wrong, the boy said, ‘they won’t let me take my puppy.’ I’ll never forget the pilot’s reply because he said to the little boy, ‘the puppy flies up front with me’.”

Territorians still have memories of arriving at the airport via the gates opposite the old Shell service station on the highway, before queuing on the tarmac to scramble onto an air force Hercules.

In addition to the evacuation efforts, the airport kept Darwin connected, providing critical ground, aerial and radio communication support after other methods of communication were taken out by the cyclone.

Airports around the world, including Darwin International Airport, continue to play a critical role in disaster response.

Darwin airport’s joint user deed with the Department of Defence positions it uniquely in Australia and in the nation’s defence strategy.

The airport often provides critical infrastructure, personnel and resources to ensure rescue and recovery missions in the region can be safely executed.

“We still have an important role in responding to disasters,” Mr Calaby says.

Darwin Airport was pivotal following the Bali bombings in 2002, where the tarmac was quickly turned into a triage area as planeloads of burn victims arrived for urgent medical aid.

The airport also supported emergency response efforts following the 2009 Ashmore Reef disaster and Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Closer to home, it provided relief in 2019 after Cyclone Trevor hit Borroloola and subsequently flooded surrounding communities.

As part of responsibilities under Federal Airport legislation, the airport undertakes an emergency exercise every two years to make sure it is ready to respond to the unexpected and activate a response effort in rapid time.

Airport Development Group operates Darwin International Airport and makes significant contributions to the Territory not only in emergency response, but also through contributing an estimated $668 million to the Territory economy each year.

Its aviation facilities, roads and commercial activities make the airport an enabler of growth in the Territory’s tourism, trade, business and leisure activities.

Since taking on leases for three NT airports – Darwin International Airport, Alice Springs Airport and Tennant Creek Airport – in 1998, Airport

Development Group has evolved to be more than an airport operator, owning and managing a diverse portfolio with assets across aviation, tourism, property and energy utilities.