Warraber Island Airport guide

Warraber Island Airport (ICAO YWBS) serves Warraber, also called Sue Island, a small coral island in the central group of the Torres Strait. The airstrip sits on Sue Islet and is the community's link to the rest of the region. There are no roads connecting the islands, so travel to Horn Island and the mainland is by air or boat.

The strip opened on 26 November 1977 under the name Nelson Airport. A $1.3 million upgrade in 2005 added perimeter fencing, new aerodrome furniture and a bitumen seal over the 705 m runway. The airstrip reopened two weeks ahead of schedule, and while it was closed a ferry from Coconut Island kept the island connected.

The facilities are basic: a windsock, a shed and fencing, with no terminal building in the usual sense. Airservices Australia lists the aerodrome as restricted, so operators need prior permission from the Torres Strait Island Regional Council before landing. Scheduled flights run to Horn Island, about 20 minutes away, and are operated by Hinterland Aviation. Schedules change, so confirm times with the airline before travelling.