From “Yankstown” to a new horizon

1940

• Bankstown acquired as an airfield site for Defence
• Site preparations begin
• Formal establishment of Bankstown Royal Australian Air Force station
• Bankstown was one of 125 airfields in NSW, and one of 23 in the Sydney region

1941

• First aircraft arrived for assembly (Avro Ansons)
• First aircraft assembled and first two hangars completed
• First Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) trained at Bankstown
• Two more hangars and other facilities erected

1942

• United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Headquarters Squadron and 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group arrive with their P-40 Kittyhawk fighter aircraft. Bankstown quickly became known as “Yankstown”.
• Establishment of Fighter Control Unit 1010 to co-ordinate the fighter defence of Sydney
• Completion of the American Hangar (Building 114)

1943

• Construction of the de Havilland factory on the southern side of the airfield. The de Havilland plant created valuable jobs for the post-war economy
• Construction of the hospital

1945

• The Bankstown Bunker is commissioned as headquarters for the Air Defence of Sydney
• RAAF Bankstown is handed over to the British Royal Navy as HMS Nabberley
• Victory in the Pacific (VP Day). HMS Nabberley was involved in the return of prisoners of war from Japanese camps and the disposal of aircraft

1948

• The de Havilland Drover flew for the first time at Bankstown
• Bankstown Airport came under the control of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA)

1950

Floodlighting installed for the Air Traffic Control Tower.

1952–1953

Floodlighting for the Air Traffic Control Tower completed and the air traffic control tower in operation.

1955

The Bristol Freighter, the first purpose-built civilian heavy freight aircraft, operates from Bankstown.

1961

• First Victa Airtourer flew. The aircraft was designed and built at Bankstown
• Bankstown tower

1962

• Three runway directions (11/29, 18/36 and 05/23)
• Second parallel runway in the 11/29 direction
• Main runway upgraded to allow Sea Venom jets to operate

1964

Civil aircraft overhaul department moved from Milperra Road to Hangar 14, Bankstown Airport.

1968

Maintenance of Wessex and Neptune aircraft.

1970

Construction of the current control tower.

1980

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Bankstown Airport on 27 May 1980.

1987

The first Black Hawk was assembled in April, and the first flight of the PC-9 RAAF trainer took place in November.

1990

A steady programme of infrastructure development leads to an increase in flying schools, providing pilots for the future of Australian aviation.

1992

Dakota National Air was formed in 1992, ceasing operations in 2003.

2001

Bankstown Airport Limited (BAL) and Camden Airport Limited (CAL) separated from Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL).

2006

• Closure of Runway 18/36
• Construction of Nancy Ellis Leebold Drive and the Toll Priority building

2015

Toll Ambulance building developed.

2017

Complete Aircrew Training System (CATS) and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) facility, with land and water winch training capabilities in the purpose-built training pool.

2019

Development of the new NSW Police PolAir facility began.

2020

The airports are responsible for more than 6,000 full-time local jobs. Bankstown Airport will continue to be a major economic contributor for the Canterbury-Bankstown region for decades to come, and a vital link in the provision of aviation services for New South Wales.

A new horizon…

Approved Major Development Plans will deliver new aviation hangars, industrial and mixed-use precincts across the airport, while emerging technologies such as electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft take their first flights from Bankstown.

See current developments