๐ฆ๐บ Collie, Australia
Collie Airport (CIE), also known by its ICAO code YCOI, is a significant regional aerodrome located approximately 5 kilometers east of the town of Collie in the South West region of Western Australia. Situated in a region famous for its coal mining and power generation industries, the airport acts as a vital transportation node for the local community. The facility is owned and maintained by the Shire of Collie and is positioned at an elevation of 818 feet, surrounded by the Jarrah forests of the Darling Range.
The airport's infrastructure is characteristic of a functional, uncertified regional aerodrome, featuring a single 1,165-meter sealed runway (10/28). While there is no traditional passenger terminal building with commercial check-in counters, the airfield provides essential facilities for the aviation community. This includes a dedicated hangar and operations building for the Collie Aero Club, which is the heart of the local flying scene. The facility also features pilot-activated lighting (PAL) on 122.3 MHz, ensuring the airfield remains accessible during night hours or periods of reduced visibility. Ground facilities are basic, consisting of a sheltered waiting area, public restrooms, and specialized equipment storage.
A primary role of Collie Airport is serving as a strategic base for emergency services. It is a critical operational point for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) during the summer bushfire season, housing water and fire-retardant tanks for aerial firefighting aircraft. The airport also features a dedicated patient transfer facility for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), providing a reliable landing point for aeromedical evacuations in the South West. While there is no scheduled commercial airline service, the airport facilitates private charters, flight training, and essential government travel. Ground transportation into central Collie is typically arranged via local taxis or private vehicle pickups, as on-site services are minimal.
Collie Airport (CIE) should be treated as a local-access and emergency-aviation field in Western Australia's South West rather than as a scheduled-airline connection point. The airport can be useful for private aviation, resource-sector activity, firefighting, and outdoor recreation access, but it is not part of a conventional commercial flight chain. If your broader trip depends on an airline, the practical risk point is Perth or another larger airport, not Collie.
That matters because the road and coach transfer are the real connection here. Public transport can get you part of the way into the South West network, but a trip involving mountain biking, Wellington Dam, or more remote recreation sites usually works best when the final vehicle and shuttle arrangements are confirmed before arrival. The airport itself does not solve those last-mile questions.
If Perth is still part of the same day, protect the airline timing there and treat the southbound leg as a separate regional movement. Long-distance coach connections and rural-road timing are more vulnerable to delay than they may first appear. CIE works best when Collie is treated as the final local gateway and Perth as the protected hub. The airport's value lies in proximity to the region, not in acting as a fallback commercial terminal if the larger itinerary changes.
โข Use Pilot Activated Lighting (PAL) on 122.3 MHz if arriving or departing outside of daylight hours.
โข CIE remote strip operates unattended - arrange services ahead.
โข Pack all your essential supplies at this airport.
โข RFDS and emergency aircraft have priority - clear runway area and monitor 122.3 MHz frequency.
โข Collie is a great base for exploring the Wellington Dam and local mountain bike trails.
Minimum domestic connection:
45 minutes
International connections:
60 minutes
Interline transfers:
120 minutes
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Last updated: April 2026 | Data Source: IATA and other airline sites and resources