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Reference data only — not for flight planning or navigation. Verify with official sources (AIP, NOTAMs, ATC). Full disclaimer

Cairns Intl (YBCS/CNS) — Cairns, Australia

At a glance

Operating hours
Open 24h
Customs
20:00–04:00 UTC (on request)
Port of entry
Yes
Fuel
JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL
Tower
124.900
Runways
15/33, 12/30
Elevation
10 ft

Times in UTC. Reference only: verify with the AIP and NOTAMs.

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98% Data Complete 51 of 52 points
Section Breakdown
Basic Info 7/7
Runways 4/4
Frequencies 4/4
Operations 2/2
Fuel 1/1
Contacts 1/2
Additional Info 10/10
Data last updated:
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Basic Airport Information

  • ICAO: YBCS
  • Name: Cairns Intl
  • Type: medium_airport
  • Category: International
  • Latitude: -16.885799
  • Longitude: 145.755005
  • Elevation: 10 ft
  • Country: Australia
  • Municipality: Cairns
  • IATA Code: CNS
  • FAA Code: N/A
  • FIR: YMMM
  • Timezone: Australia/Brisbane
  • Distance from City: 4.8 km
  • VFR: Yes
  • IFR: Yes

Runways

Runway 15/33

  • Designation: 15/33
  • Dimensions: 10682 X 148
  • Surface: Asphalt
  • PCN: N/A
  • Lighting: HIRL, PAPI both ends, Turn pad blue edge lights
  • NAVAIDs: ILS/LOC ICS Rwy 15, VOR/DME CS, NDB CS 364
  • Approach Types: ILS CAT I, LOC, RNP AR, VOR/DME, NDB
  • Remarks: RWY 15/33 3197m x 45m. Circuit training: RWY 15 left hand, RWY 33 right hand. Stopway lights not installed. ABN activated by ATC TWR 20min prior to arrival/departure HN and during low visibility periods. NDB CS 364 U/S due vegetation control. TORA 3156m. ILS CAT I RWY 15 (RNP AR for CASA-approved operators only). Max IAS 250kt below 10000ft AMSL. Low visibility ops CAT I RWY 15.

Runway 12/30

  • Designation: 12/30
  • Dimensions: 3035 X 60
  • Surface: Asphalt
  • PCN: N/A
  • Lighting: N/A
  • NAVAIDs: N/A
  • Approach Types: N/A
  • Remarks: N/A

See all airports with ILS approaches in Australia →

Frequencies

  • Tower: 124.900 MHz
  • Ground: 121.700 MHz
  • Operations: 118.400 MHz
  • Traffic/Approach: Approach 118.400 MHz; Tower 124.900 MHz (H24); Ground 121.700 MHz; ATIS 113.000 MHz MHz
  • ATIS: 113.000 MHz

Operation Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Cairns Intl operates 24 hours (H24). See all 24-hour airports worldwide →

  • Extra Hours On Request: No
  • Remarks: H24 operation. Control tower H24. No DST observed (UTC+10 year-round). Possible closure during cyclones.

Contacts

  • AIS Tel: N/A
  • ARO Tel: N/A
  • MET Tel: N/A
  • Admin Tel: +61740806744
  • Health Tel: N/A
  • Police Tel: N/A
  • Authorities Tel: +61740806744
  • Website: https://www.cairnsairport.com.au
  • Remarks: N/A

Slots / PPR

  • Slot Required: Yes
  • PPR Required: Yes
  • PPR Contact: +61 7 4050 5200
  • Remarks: PPR required for all non-scheduled international flights and GA IFR outside published hours. Slots via A-CDM system for scheduled commercial operations. Request 48-72 hours prior. GA VFR: no slots required.

Customs

  • Open: 20:00
  • Close: 04:00
  • Phone: N/A
  • Extra Hours On Request: Yes
  • Remarks: Standard hours 0600-1400 AEST (UTC+10). After-hours clearance available on request with minimum 4 hours notice.

Fees

  • Landing Fee: 5.3275 AUD per metric ton MTOW
  • Parking Fee: 1.0600 AUD per metric ton per 24 hours (first 4 hours free on some stands for aircraft under 20T MTOW)
  • Handling Mandatory: Yes
  • Currency: AUD
  • Remarks: Landing fee is RPT rate for jets; non-RPT rates may differ. Fees effective from 1 July 2024, subject to indexation.

Fuel Information

  • Fuel Type: JET A-1
  • Price/L: N/A
  • Last Updated: 2026-04-07
  • Remarks: Available H24.
  • Fuel Type: AVGAS 100LL
  • Price/L: N/A
  • Last Updated: 2026-04-07
  • Remarks: Available H24.

Immigration

  • Port of Entry: Yes
  • APIS Required: Yes
  • GAR Required: No
  • Remarks: Australian Border Force handles customs and immigration. No US CBP preclearance available.

See all airports of entry in Australia →

Restrictions

  • Curfew Start: 17:00
  • Curfew End: 01:00
  • Noise Chapter Min: 3
  • Remarks: Curfew 03:00-11:00 AEST (17:00-01:00 UTC). Maximum wingspan 45m. ARFF Category 8.

Alternates

YMBA

  • ICAO: YMBA
  • Name: Mareeba Airport
  • Distance (NM): 22.2
  • Has IFR: No
  • Port of Entry: Not recorded
  • Immigration Remarks: N/A

YCKN

  • ICAO: YCKN
  • Name: Cooktown Airport
  • Distance (NM): 92.5
  • Has IFR: No
  • Port of Entry: Not recorded
  • Immigration Remarks: N/A

YBTL

  • ICAO: YBTL
  • Name: Townsville Intl
  • Distance (NM): 153.2
  • Has IFR: Yes
  • Port of Entry: Yes
  • Immigration Remarks: No US CBP preclearance. Landing permit not required for most international GA flights; notify ABIS 48hr prior.

Airport Services

No services listed for this airport yet.

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Australia Permit Requirements

Medium Landing: 5d
  • Overflight Permit: No
  • Landing Permit: Conditional
  • Overflight Lead Time: N/A
  • Landing Lead Time: Private non-revenue: 10 working days written notice. Charter (Form 094): 6-8 WEEKS (including CASA Charter Permission).
Private / GA Operations:

Private flights require advance customs notification (SmartGate/ABF). Biosecurity quarantine strict.

View Full Australia Permit Details

Active NOTAMs

K3538/26
info
ATC restriction
ATIS FREQ 113.0 U/S DUE MAINT ALTN FREQ 131.1
2026-11-02 22:00 UTC 2026-11-03 02:00 UTC
N3519/26
caution
DME out of service
DME 'ICN' 109.5/32X RWY 33 (ASSOCIATED WITH LOC 'ICN') ON TEST, DO NOT USE FALSE INDICATIONS POSSIBLE EXC WITH 15MIN PN FOR OPR RQMNTS
2026-11-11 22:00 UTC 2026-11-13 06:00 UTC
J4502/26
caution
Obstacle erected
MULTIPLE OBST TREES AT FLW LOCATIONS: 44FT AMSL BTN BRG 323 MAG AND 325 MAG 2910M TO 3011M FM ARP. INFRINGES RWY 15 INNER APCH BY UP TO 10FT 104FT AMSL BTN BRG 321 MAG AND 329 MAG 2745M TO 3743M FM ARP. INFRINGES RWY 15 APCH BY UP TO 21FT 76FT AMSL BTN BRG 151 MAG AND 182 MAG 720M TO 1629M FM A…
2026-09-22 04:17 UTC 2026-12-21 00:00 UTC

+6 more active NOTAMs

Relayed by the FAA NOTAM feed. Coverage outside the US can be incomplete: confirm with the national AIS before flight.
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Airport History

No milestones recorded for Cairns Intl yet. Know when it opened, who built it or a notable event? Add it with a source.

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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tower frequency at YBCS?
The tower frequency at Cairns Intl is 124.900 MHz.
What fuel is available at YBCS?
Cairns Intl offers JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL.
Does YBCS require landing permits?
It depends on the flight. Private flights require advance customs notification (SmartGate/ABF). Biosecurity quarantine strict. Permit details for Australia
Is customs available at YBCS?
Yes, customs at Cairns Intl is available from 20:00 to 04:00.
Does YBCS require slots or PPR?
Slots are required and PPR is required at Cairns Intl.
Where is YBCS located?
Cairns Intl (YBCS) is located in Cairns, Australia.
What is the IATA code for YBCS?
The IATA code for Cairns Intl is CNS.
Does YBCS have an ILS approach?
Yes, Cairns Intl has ILS (Instrument Landing System) approaches on runway 15/33.
Is YBCS a port of entry?
Yes, Cairns Intl is a port of entry where international flights can clear customs and immigration.