During the evacuation period, Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th December inclusive, Ansett Airlines and Macrobertson Miller Airlines operated a total of 27 flights for the purpose of evacuating Darwin residents.

Over this period a total of 5,417 passengers were uplifted, of which 924 were carried on M.M.A. services. Maximum loadings on any given flight was 279 for an Ansett Boeing 727/200 Series, and 109 for an M.M.A. Fokker Fellowship.

All passenger processing during the evacuation was handled by the Evacuation Committee, with airline personnel concentrating purely on tarmac operations. Ansett Airlines, T.A.A., Qantas and Connair Airways ground equipment was pulled (sic. pooled? Ed) to facilitate efficient turnarounds. All crews during the evacuation period were volunteer, and gave outstanding co-operation during the crisis.

Ansett's Electra Freighters were placed at the disposal of the Disaster Committee for the uplift of heavy equipment in the event it was required.

Tarmac operations were on a co-operative basis with Ansett and M.M.A. personnel assisting all carriers.

Ansett Airlines flew in 1,250 gallons of fresh water in 5 gallon containers for general distribution.

Company personnel over the four day period were working an average of 16 hours a day. Those personnel with special skills were released on a volunteer basis to the Disaster Committee for essential duties.

Ansett Airlines and M.M.A. personnel were flown in from several ports in the network to assist with aircraft operations.

Head Office Management ensured that airline personnel were self sufficient to enhance the efficiency of the operation during the initial crisis period.


(signed)
B. Pennington
Ansett Airlines of Australia

Source: (45)
Northern Territory Archives Service
Commissioner of Police
NTRS 3002
Administration files relating to Cyclone Tracy
1974-1975
Reports on Cyclone duty