Kempsey Airport (KPS)

Kempsey Airport (KPS), designated YKMP, operates as a regional general aviation facility serving the Macleay Valley and the city of Kempsey in New South Wales, positioned at coordinates 31.072°S, 152.765°E at an elevation of 54 feet above sea level approximately 4 nautical miles west of Kempsey city center. This strategically located airport, managed by Kempsey Shire Council, has evolved from its origins as a scheduled passenger service hub into a diverse aviation facility supporting flight training, charter operations, skydiving operations, aircraft maintenance, emergency services, and recreational flying activities throughout the Mid North Coast region. The facility underwent significant infrastructure upgrades in 2023 with a $5 million federal government grant funding runway resurfacing and lighting improvements, positioning it as an increasingly important regional aviation asset supporting both recreational and commercial operations in this scenic coastal region of New South Wales. The airport operates through modern infrastructure featuring a primary sealed runway designated 04/22, constructed to accommodate various general aviation aircraft from single-engine trainers to larger charter aircraft and emergency service helicopters. Following extensive consultation with airport users, a secondary grass runway 16/34 was permanently closed in 2020 due to persistent flooding issues during heavy rainfall events common in the region's subtropical climate. The remaining runway benefits from the recent federal infrastructure investment, featuring upgraded lighting systems and improved surface conditions that enhance safety and operational capability for the diverse range of aviation activities now based at the facility, including pilot training operations, charter flights, and specialized activities such as skydiving that have become increasingly important to the local aviation economy. Terminal and facility infrastructure reflects the airport's evolution toward specialized general aviation services, featuring basic passenger processing areas suitable for charter operations and private flights, aircraft maintenance hangars housing local aviation businesses, and operational facilities supporting the thriving skydiving industry through the proposed Macleay Valley Skydiving Adventure Park development. While scheduled commercial passenger services ended in 2004 following the closure of Horizon Airlines' Sydney-Kempsey route, the airport maintains essential infrastructure including fuel services, aircraft parking areas, and weather monitoring equipment. The facility supports critical emergency services operations including medical helicopter services, bushfire response aircraft, and search and rescue operations, making it an indispensable asset for emergency management throughout the Macleay Valley region during natural disasters and medical emergencies. The airport's strategic importance extends beyond aviation operations to encompass significant economic development opportunities for the Kempsey region, with the council actively pursuing master plan development to establish frameworks for future expansion and diversification of services. The proposed $11 million Macleay Valley Skydiving Adventure Park, funded through the NSW Government's Bushfire Local Economic Recovery program, represents a major tourism initiative designed to attract visitors to the region while creating employment opportunities in the aviation and tourism sectors. Ground transportation connections include Transport for NSW bus route 354 providing weekday connections to Kempsey city center, while the airport's proximity to the Pacific Highway ensures convenient access for visitors from Sydney and other major population centers, positioning Kempsey Airport as a vital community asset supporting both aviation activities and broader economic development in the scenic Macleay Valley.