Derby Airport (Australia)

Derby Airport (IATA: DRB, ICAO: YDBY) is located 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) southeast^[1] of Derby, Western Australia.

Derby Airport
IATA: DRB ICAO: YDBY
Summary
Airport type	Public
Operator	Shire of Derby/West Kimberley
Location	Derby, Western Australia
Elevation AMSL	24 ft / 7 m
Coordinates	17°22′19″S 123°39′45″E
Map
YDBY Location in Western Australia
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 11/29 1,736 5,696 05/23 1,158 3,799 Gravel/asphalt
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart[1]

History

A Transwest Airlines aircraft refueling at Derby Airport in 1979

The site of Derby airport was first set aside for aviation uses in 1922.^[2] The airfield played a key role in the search for Charles Kingsford Smith's Southern Cross following a forced landing in the Kimberley region during 1929 in an incident that would become known as the "Coffee Royal Affair".^{[citation needed]} Aviation pioneer Norman Brearley used aircraft of his West Australian Airways in the initial search effort flying outwards from Derby.^[3]

In 1938, it was proposed that Derby to be used as a base for flying boat services carried air mail from London to Australia via Egypt and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).^[4]

See also

• Curtin Airport, nearby military base which hosted commercial passenger flights to Derby
• List of airports in Western Australia
• Aviation transport in Australia