The Australian Antarctic Division has put on hold Airbus A319LR services between Hobart, Tasmania and Wilkins aerodrome, Antarctica because of safety concerns with the aerodrome's blue ice runway as a result of warmer than normal temperatures.
Australia constructed the 4,000m (1,200ft) blue ice runway near the country's Casey research station in 2006 to allow it to operate intercontinental jet services during the southern hemisphere summer. Before the runway was constructed Australian researchers had to undergo a 10-day journey to Antarctica by boat. The runway is used for between 10 and 20 flights by a modified A319LR operated by Sydney-based Skytraders.
The flights usually operate from mid-December, but runway temperatures have forced the cancellation of services to Wilkins. Some flights have been operating to the US McMurdo Antarctica base instead, with de Havilland Twin Otter connections to Casey. The situation is being monitored the situation, with the next flight to Wilkins scheduled for 18 January.
Source: Flight International
