Northern Peninsula Airport (ABM)

Departures from Northern Peninsula Airport (ABM) at a glance

• 5flights a day56th busiest of 111 airports
• 1route from here
• 1airline
• 11:30 – 18:05first and last00061218

Collected 29 October 2026. Not live — check with the airline before booking.

Northern Peninsula Airport (ABM) is in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, south east of the Bamaga community, and is run by the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council. The site's schedule data records Skytrans flights from it to Cairns.

Direct domestic flights recorded from Northern Peninsula Airport

Direct domestic flights recorded from Northern Peninsula Airport go to the destination below, flown by Skytrans.

Destination	Airport	Airline recorded
Cairns	Cairns Airport (CNS)	Skytrans

Skytrans's Terms and Conditions say its flights from Cairns depart from and arrive at the domestic terminal.

Names and who runs the airport

The council heads its airport page "The Northern Peninsula Airport (ABM)", and the text below that heading also calls it Bamaga Airport. The same page gives the airport's local name as Inhung Apudtha Airport and its address as Airport Rd, Bamaga. The Queensland Government's alcohol restrictions page for the area calls it the Bamaga/Injinoo Airport.

Airservices Australia's aerodrome entry for the airport (issue of 3 September 2026) heads it "NORTHERN PENINSULA" and names the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council as the aerodrome operator. The council says the airport is also used for local charters, by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and, periodically, by the Royal Australian Air Force.

What the aerodrome entry lists at Northern Peninsula Airport

Under passenger facilities, the aerodrome entry lists toilets, a passenger lounge and hire car, and gives mobile phone reception as "Telstra only". Airservices' key to these codes cautions that a hire car may need a phone call after arrival.

The NPA Airport Renewal Project, rescheduled to 2027

A council public notice published on 14 October 2025 says the NPA Airport Renewal Project has been rescheduled to the 2027 dry season, and that alternative travel details are under finalisation. An update on the council's home page dated 16 July 2026 repeats that the project is rescheduled to 2027.

The airport's wartime history

The council's history of the airport says it was created in late 1942 as a substitute base for bomber planes, replacing the airport on Horn Island, which was receiving heavy Japanese fire and deteriorating rapidly because of flooding. The Americans first knew it as Red Island Point, and it was later renamed in honour of a Royal Australian Air Force flight lieutenant killed in air operations in May 1943.

The council says two aircraft wrecks lie near the airport: a Beaufort bomber north of the runway, and a Douglas DC-3, VH-CXD, now preserved as a war memorial 3 km north-east.

Bamaga, the Northern Peninsula Area and the tip of Cape York

The council's tourism page names the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the NPA as Injinoo, Umagico, Bamaga, New Mapoon and Seisia. It calls the area Pajinka and Northern Cape York, and promotes the tip of Australia to four-wheel drivers, wildlife and photography enthusiasts, fishing and boat charters, island hoppers and adventure-seekers. It also says hire vehicles are available to explore Pajinka and Northern Cape York in the green season.

The council divides the year into a dry season from May to October and a green season, for flying or driving, from November to April. Among its dry season experiences it lists Pajinka tours, birdwatching and wilderness tours, four-wheel driving in national parks and coastal reserves, fishing, island tours, and camping and glamping. The same page describes the NPA Art Centre as a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to show their work, and for visitors to learn about the cultures and traditions of the NPA.

The council asks tourists to treat the region with respect and to remember that they are visitors to traditionally owned land. A council notice of 16 July 2024 is headed "Northern Cape York is Croc Country" and gives 1300 130 372 for reporting crocodile sightings.

The wet season and road access to the Northern Peninsula Area

The Bureau of Meteorology says the monsoon is part of northern Australia's wet season from November to April, and that it can cause flooding and cut off roads. It gives the official tropical cyclone season in the Australian region as 1 November to 30 April.

The council's wet season information describes "The Wet" as generally falling between November and April, with heavy rainfall that can cause flooding or land slips and isolate communities, industries and travellers. Its tourism page says that in the monsoon many roads in Cape York Peninsula are generally flooded and closed, making the NPA difficult to reach by land.

The council says flights to Bamaga are unaffected in that season and that the NPA is accessible by air all year round. Skytrans's Disrupt Policy lists weather affecting operational conditions among the delays outside its control.

By road, the council says Bamaga is around 1000 km north of Cairns, and that all vehicles must cross the Jardine River, the area's southern border, on the council's Jardine Ferry barge. The ferry's hours differ by season, the council says it cannot operate the ferry out of hours, and the crossing can have significant delays in the busy May to October tourism period.

The ferry between Thursday Island and Seisia

The council's tourism page says the ferry from Horn Island or Thursday Island takes one hour to Seisia Wharf, and that charter and tour boats can also reach Seisia Wharf. Peddell's Ferry, whose page names a Thursday Island to Seisia crossing, says reservations are essential and that you need a booked and paid ticket to present at the boarding gangway. Its page also says quarantine applies when travelling from Thursday Island to Seisia, and gives a contact at the Australian Government's agriculture department for it.

Alcohol restrictions in the Northern Peninsula Area

The Queensland Government says the Northern Peninsula Area restricted area comprises the NPA Regional Council areas of Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon, Seisia and Umagico, and includes public places within these communities and the Bamaga/Injinoo Airport and Seisia Wharf. A carriage limit applies in the restricted area, and the government says it is also an offence to attempt to bring alcohol above the set quantity into the restricted area. Its Northern Peninsula Area alcohol restrictions page sets out the limit and the penalties.

The government says its penalties apply to all people living in, travelling through, visiting or working in the restricted area, and that vehicles found carrying alcohol above the set quantity in the restricted area may be confiscated. It also says drinking in public is prohibited in the NPA except in designated public places, which it names as the Loyalty Beach camping ground at New Mapoon and the Seisia camping ground, excluding its car park. Airservices' aerodrome entry for the airport carries a remark that alcohol is restricted in the Northern Peninsula Area and that heavy penalties apply.

Queensland's far northern biosecurity zones

The Queensland Government's Business Queensland site says two far northern biosecurity zones have been established in the northern half of Cape York Peninsula, and that moving plants, plant pests, soils and related equipment out of these zones requires a biosecurity instrument permit. The Queensland Government's page on travelling in Cape York and the Torres Strait asks travellers to follow the quarantine restrictions that apply to fruit, soil or plants when moving between biosecurity zones, and to place plant material in the amnesty bins when leaving the zones.

Skytrans check-in, baggage, children, assistance and delays

Check-in and identification

Skytrans's Terms and Conditions (effective 24 July 2026) close check-in 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time at Aurukun, Bamaga, Kowanyama, Lockhart River and Pormpuraaw airports, and 30 minutes before at all other airports. The airline says passengers who do not check in before closure will not be able to travel and their fare is not refundable, and that passengers who have checked in online must present bags to the check-in counter before closure.

Skytrans says you will be required to provide identification at check-in, and asks you to contact it before departure if you have questions about acceptable identification.

Baggage on Skytrans flights

Skytrans's "All Other Flights" allowance currently gives each seat-occupying passenger two carry-on items up to 7 kg total combined weight, and two checked items up to 20 kg total combined weight. Carry-on must not exceed 48 cm long, 34 cm high and 23 cm wide, checked baggage must not exceed 140 cm in total dimensions, and items over 32 kg or 140 cm must be booked as freight. Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and strollers do not count towards the allowance.

Skytrans says baggage travels on the same flight as the passenger where possible, but may go on the next available flight where that is impractical, and that excess baggage may not be carried on the stated flight. Damage or loss must be reported to Skytrans within 24 hours, and if no staff are present, Skytrans asks for photographic evidence taken at the airport. Check Skytrans's travel information page before you pack.

Skytrans's conditions say alcohol management programmes are in place in many of the communities in Cape York, and that it will not carry passengers with alcohol on flights into these communities. Its travel information page says alcohol is not permitted on Skytrans flights operating into or via dry communities, whether in checked baggage, in carry-on baggage or on your person.

Skytrans also says it is against the law to bring restricted items, as defined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, onto the aircraft in carry-on or checked baggage. Its examples include compressed gases (some common camping equipment), flammable liquids and solids, and firearms, which may only be carried with approval as checked luggage.

Children travelling with Skytrans

Skytrans says infants are under 2 years, children are 2 to 11 years inclusive and adults are 12 years and above. It adds that infants and children must travel with a parent or a passenger 15 years of age or over who is an immediate family member or authorised guardian, unless a child is accepted as an unaccompanied minor. For an unaccompanied minor, Skytrans's form asks for an escort who stays at the airport until the flight has departed, and a named person to collect the child, who must produce identification.

Assistance and medical clearance

Skytrans says it may be able to provide limited assistance at some ports for special requirements such as wheelchairs and service dogs, and asks you to contact it before booking to confirm availability. Where the airline requires it, a medical clearance form must be completed by a registered medical practitioner no more than 10 days before the flight, unless the airline approves otherwise. Skytrans adds that it does not provide therapeutic oxygen for passenger use.

Delays and cancellations

Skytrans's Terms and Conditions say it intends to carry you on the date and time booked but that this is not guaranteed, and that schedule times may change without notice. If a flight is cancelled, its Disrupt Policy (effective 1 July 2025) says Skytrans will move passengers to another Skytrans flight, on the same day where possible, and may offer a flight on a different aircraft, on another carrier or to a nearby alternative destination.

The policy says that for a delay of more than two hours notified more than 24 hours before departure, you can cancel for a refund or credit, or move to another Skytrans flight on the same route. It offers accommodation, where available, to passengers away from their home port when a flight is cancelled on the day for reasons within Skytrans's control and the next available flight is the following day or later.

Security screening and liquids rules

Commonwealth screening rule for air services

The Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre (CISC) says an air service that operates open charter or a regular public transport operation must be aviation security screened if it:

• uses aircraft with a seating capacity of 40 or more persons
• operates from an Australian designated, tier 1 or tier 2 security controlled airport
• uses any aircraft departing from the same apron as a screened air service operating at a designated airport

Home Affairs liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions

The Department of Home Affairs applies its liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions in these situations:

• when departing Australia
• when transiting through Australia from one country to another
• when travelling on the domestic leg of a flight departing from an Australian international terminal
• prior to boarding an inbound flight at its last point of departure before it reaches Australia

Where they apply, each container must be 100 mL or 100 g or less, and all containers must fit in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.

Questions about Northern Peninsula Airport

Who runs Northern Peninsula Airport?

The Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council runs it. Airservices Australia's aerodrome entry, issued on 3 September 2026, names the council as the aerodrome operator.

Is Northern Peninsula Airport the same as Bamaga Airport?

Yes. The council's airport page calls it both Bamaga Airport and the Northern Peninsula Airport, and gives its local name as Inhung Apudtha Airport.

When does Skytrans close check-in at Northern Peninsula Airport?

Skytrans's Terms and Conditions close check-in 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time at Bamaga, as at Aurukun, Kowanyama, Lockhart River and Pormpuraaw, and 30 minutes before at all other airports. Skytrans says passengers who do not check in before closure will not be able to travel.

Is daylight saving observed at Northern Peninsula Airport?

No. Queensland does not observe daylight saving, and neither do Western Australia or the Northern Territory. New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory do.