Mornington Island Airport, situated in in north-west Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria, has reopened to scheduled commercial traffic following a near-month long closure. In mid-December, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) closed the airfield to all aircraft above 5,700kg owing to runway unserviceability.

However, following repairs, Rex - Regional Express (ZL, Wagga Wagga) began operating flights under a charter substitution arrangement effective January 15.

"Recent runway repairs removed the runway length restriction yesterday and have enabled Rex to deploy its lighter Piper (twin piston) PA-31-350 Chieftain (operated by its subsidiary Air Link (LZ, Dubbo)) as a shuttle service between Mornington Island and Normanton,” Rex said in a statement.

The carrier added that the arrangement would remain in place until all runway repair works are completed.

Prior to the airfield's closure, REX had offered scheduled services to Mornington Island from Normanton, Burketown, Cairns, Doomadgee, and Mount Isa.