Airnorth Supports SpaceX Starship Recovery Mission
MEDIA RELEASE
A smooth flight can make a complex operation look simple. Airnorth’s recent charter from Darwin to Christmas Island was a strong example of the planning, capability and teamwork required to make that happen.
On Saturday 15th August, Airnorth Captains Angus MacLeod and Adam Brinkworth departed Darwin at 8.00am aboard Airnorth’s Embraer E190 VH-XFC. Their passengers were members of the SpaceX recovery team travelling to Christmas Island for a crew change following the splashdown of the company’s Starship spacecraft in the Indian Ocean.
Starship Flight 13: 8 and a half minutes after launch
After arriving at Christmas Island at 9.15am local time, the Airnorth aircraft and crew remained on the ground for six hours while the changeover took place. They departed at 3.15pm and returned to Darwin at 9.00pm, completing approximately seven hours of flying across a 13-hour operational day.
While the SpaceX connection added a remarkable dimension to the charter, the real story was the experience and skill behind the Airnorth operation.
Christmas Island is one of the most complex destinations Airnorth plans and operates to. Located around 2,800 kilometres from Darwin and more than 1,600 kilometres off the north-west coast of the Australian mainland, the island is approximately four hours from Darwin, with most of the journey over open ocean.
Christmas Island: approx. 2,800 km west of Darwin
Despite being an Australian territory, Christmas Island sits within the Jakarta Flight Information Region. Its remoteness, steep terrain, rapidly changing weather and limited diversion options require careful planning and sound operational judgement.
Preparation began several days before departure. Airnorth teams continually monitored conditions at Christmas Island, together with the availability of suitable enroute and diversion aerodromes across Indonesia and the surrounding region. Yogyakarta, on the southern coast of Java, was selected as the primary alternate airport for the operation.
On approach: Coming into land at Christmas Island
Active volcanoes across Indonesia and the potential for volcanic ash were also monitored, as these can affect both the planned route and the availability of alternate airports.
Even with days of preparation, Christmas Island’s variable weather meant the final decision to operate was made within hours of departure. Given the distance involved, an aircraft unable to land and required to divert to Indonesia could not simply return and try again later that day. Any disruption could also create significant flow-on effects across the wider Airnorth network.
Airnorth’s international operating experience was central to managing these complexities. The E190 provided the range and performance required for the sector, while Angus and Adam’s E-Jet experience and training in RNP Baro-VNAV operations supported the safe approach into an airport shaped by challenging terrain and weather.
On arrival, conditions were mostly clear despite forecast periods of rain. The flight itself was uneventful, which was exactly the outcome the team had worked to achieve.
“Christmas Island demands careful planning and constant assessment right through to departure. The fact that the operation ran so smoothly reflects the experience and coordination across our entire team, from Flight Operations and Network Operations to Engineering and Maintenance and the operating crew,” Angus said.
The successful charter showcased Airnorth’s ability to bring together experienced people, capable aircraft and detailed operational planning to safely deliver a unique and complex mission.
Transporting the SpaceX recovery team was certainly an unusual assignment, but for Airnorth, it was also another example of our people doing what they do best.
Media enquiries:
Teyghan Stadelbauer
Marketing & Communications Manager
Airnorth
E | [email protected]
P | + 61 400 230 684