South Pole City-Orion Freddy Regional Airport
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| Key details | |
|---|---|
| Name | South Pole City-Orion Freddy Regional Airport |
| ACAO code | OFD |
| Type of airport | Regional Airport |
| Hub for | CityExpress Airways |
| Owned/Operated by | CityAir |
| Location | Metro, South Pole City |
| Runways | |
| Runway | Runway 10R/28L (8,000 ft.) (Asphalt/Concrete) |
| Statistics | |
| No. of Passengers | 2,342,441 |
| Aircraft Movements | 43,661 |
South Pole City-Orion Freddy Regional Airport, formerly known as the South Pole Airstrip, is one of the four airports serving the South Pole City Metropolitan Area. It was once the main airstrip serving the city, however it was closed down in 2005 owing to safety problems as its ice runway was deemed to dangerous for use and replaced by the Metro Airport. It was reopened in 2009 as Orion Freddy Airport, named after a member of the South Pole Council who advocated the re-opening of the new airport to alleviate congestion at the main Metro Airport.
Today, around 2 million passengers pass through the airport which only has one airline operating from it - CityExpress Airways
History[edit]
The airport is built a strip of reclaimed land formerly known as the Southern Metro Islands. In 1974, the South Pole Summit voted to build a new airport for South Pole City and reclamation works began the next year to link the island to the mainland, as well as to divert the Hutt river a mile north. The airport opened in 1978 with a ten-gate terminal, a 6000ft runway, a large hangar and state od the art maintenance system. Commercial service started that year, with many airlines flying there due to its strategic location as the center of Antarctican politics and business.
Owing to the large amount of passengers coming through the airport, an expansion plan was carried out in 1983 to extend the runway to 8000 feet and increase the number of gates to 20. The limited amount of space left little room for expansion - there were no more expansions of the airport facilities, only the interior was refurbished once in 1998. The War of 2002 saw major damage to the airport, and although the ice runway was repaired, it shut down at the end of the war, in 2005.
The airport was due to be demolished, however a report concerning the growth of air traffic noted that the new Metro Airport would hit capacity by 2010, affecting the reputation of the city. After much avocation by council member Thomas Orion Freddy, the South Pole Council decided to rebuild the airport.
The new airport opened in 2009 with ten gates and a tarmac runway, and was given the name Orion Freddy Airport, in honour of the council member.
Destinations[edit]
- CityExpress Airways: Polaris, Gemini, Outer Club Penguin,Jing Jong's Island, Ternville, Snellville, Lorraine City, GourdZoid, Newton Town, New Aquarius, Pengu Town, Half Pipe, Amery Island, New Happyface City, Nightlife City,
Facilities[edit]
The airport, despite being the smallest in the city, has a state of the art maintenance facility, a 8000 feet tarmac runway and ten gates. The interior of the airport is new and modern, with adequate check in, immigration and sercuity booths, as well as several F&B outlets inside and outside the transit area.
