[citation needed] In 1929, the lease to a former racecourse, Connor Park, was acquired by a number of aspiring aviators, and they set about making it suitable for aircraft.

The Rockhampton Aero Club continues to operate today, providing flying training and air charter.

[7] The club was formed just three weeks prior with the aim of providing assistance with issues relating to aviation, including lobbying for a permanent landing ground for aircraft flying into the city.

[7] A few weeks later, on 15 March 1930 the Rockhampton Aerodrome was officially opened by Alderman Colonel David Day Dawson on behalf of Cousins who was unable to attend.

[8] The first passenger aircraft, a Fokker monoplane, Star of Cairns, landed at the Rockhampton Aerodrome during the official opening.

[8] In late 1938, it was announced that a meteorological office would be established at the Connor Park Aerodrome to cater for the requirements of the planes flying in and out of Rockhampton as well as providing expert weather observations for general purposes.

[9] The presence of a meteorological office at Rockhampton Airport continued up until 2021 when it was announced it would soon be closed - a decision that has prompted much discussion.

[12] A new runway was constructed at a length of 1,250 yards and bitumen was laid in an attempt to reduce the dust which was being stirred up by propellers causing inconvenience to passengers and risking interference with the instruments at the meteorological office.

An Aeradio station was established to enable air ground communication, a facility that survived as a Flight Service Unit until 1992.

Those greeted at the Connor Park Aerodrome in its early years included Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Eleanor Roosevelt, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Sir William McKell, Richard Casey, Baron Casey, Robert L. Eichelberger, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the Great Britain national rugby league team.

[22] After visiting the city in 1954, Prince Philip returned to Rockhampton Airport in 1973 when he landed at the controls of a RAF Queen's Flight Andover on 9 October 1973.

[24] The draft from the rotor blades whipped up a large cloud of dust which covered a freshly painted restroom building much to the frustration of the tradesmen who had just finished the job.

Although a small breathing tube had been installed in his box, Woolcock appeared to be suffering from air sickness and oxygen deprivation from being in the cargo hold of the aircraft.

[30] Police believed the men had attempted the heist after receiving insider information from either the Reserve Bank, TAA or a security firm.

[34] In 2015, the service celebrated the 25th anniversary of the base which coincided with the opening of a new patient transfer facility which was unveiled by CEO of RFDS Queensland, Nino Di Marco.

[34] On 26 January 1996, the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service commenced operations with their first hangar officially opened by Merri Rose on 20 February 1999.

Whole the aircraft was not damaged, the airline had no local engineers available to inspect the plane and one would need to travel from Melbourne, prompting an almost 12-hour delay.

[38] The airline said that they were required to depart at that time to prevent a staff member on board from going over her monthly working limit and that they had attempted to contact all passengers.

Rockhampton Regional Council mayor Brad Carter criticised the airline for the incident and said the way that they had handled it was "totally unacceptable.

[48] 3SG Chen had died in a vehicular incident in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area while participating in Exercise Wallaby.

[49][50][3][51] This prompted a proposal put forward by federal MP Kirsten Livermore to relocate the airport to Hedlow, between Rockhampton and Yeppoon.

[56] Private airline lounges, a FIFO hub, additional retail and hospitality businesses were introduced and existing amenities were updated.