Horn Island Airport Guide
Horn Island Airport, also called Ngurupai Airport, is the main air gateway to the Torres Strait. It sits on Horn Island, almost 8 km from Thursday Island, and its ICAO code is YHID. The council says more than 120,000 passengers pass through each year.
The field began as a wartime base. A larger strip was needed after Thursday Island's airstrip proved too short to extend, and RAAF Base Horn Island was completed in 1941. It became a staging point for Allied aircraft flying between Australia and New Guinea, and Horn Island was one of the most heavily bombed places in Australia. A veterans memorial stands in front of the airport.
Torres Shire Council has owned and operated the airport since taking it over from the Department of Transport in 1995. It is a Tier 2 security controlled airport and a first point of entry, with a Biosecurity office on site. QantasLink and Hinterland Aviation fly scheduled services, and Qantas arrivals and departures are timed to meet the ferries to Thursday Island. Local charter operators including Torres Strait Air, Cape Air Transport and Horizon Airways also work from the airport.
Services
2 of 6 availableCompare 2 listed options at Horn Island Airport, spanning hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Horn Island Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 2 runways
- Location
- -10.586, 142.293
- Operator
- Torres Shire Council
Terminals
1 terminalHorn Island Airport has 1 passenger terminal — Horn Island Airport Terminal, handling domestic flights for around 2 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Horn Island Airport TerminalDomestic
QantasLink, Hinterland Aviation
Nearby cities
1 cityHorn Island Airport is closest to Thursday Island (8 km west). With 1 town or city within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Thursday Island8 km west
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the airport codes for Horn Island Airport?
What are the airport codes for Horn Island Airport?
Where is Horn Island Airport located?
Where is Horn Island Airport located?
What services are available at Horn Island Airport?
What services are available at Horn Island Airport?
Help us improve this page
Found outdated information or know about a service we're missing? Let us know!
Suggest page updates →