Design advice
Design advice
The illustration used for the $3.00 stamp design from the Christmas Island Airport- 50 Years stamp issue uses aspects of the Virgin Atlantic livery as well as Virgin Australia for the featured Airbus A320.
Overview
Until the 1970s, the remote Indian Ocean Territory of Christmas Island had no substantial aviation infrastructure, with the only regular transportation being by sea. In June 1974, after years of planning, the Christmas Island airport was opened in the north-east of the island, initially with a 2,100-metre-long sealed runway and serviceable passenger terminal. The first commercial jet service from Perth, a TAA Boeing 727, arrived on 6 June 1974. Under Australia’s two-airline policy, Ansett Airlines of Australia joined TAA on the route, providing the only direct air links with Australia. TAA and Ansett continued the route until June 1984, when Airlines of Western Australia secured the Commonwealth contract. These flights used a Fokker F28-4000 and occasionally a Fokker F28-1000. In June 1985, the contract was awarded back to TAA, rebranded as Australian Airlines from 1986. This lasted until 1989 and was followed by the following on the route: Amann Aviation (1989), Ansett WA (1989-92), Indian Ocean Airlines (1992), Ansett (1992-1998), National Jet Systems (1996-2009), SkyAirWorld (2009), Cobham Aviation (2009-10), Virgin (2010-present).
In 1982‒83 the runway was extended and in October 1992, a modern airport terminal was constructed, to be upgraded a few years later. In September 2018, it was renamed the Gordon Bennett Terminal in honour of the late union leader. Since 2010, an Airbus A320 operated by Virgin Australia has provided passenger air services from Perth via the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The stamps depict the first TAA aircraft and original passenger terminal together with the current carrier and terminal.
Technical specifications
- Issue date
- 23 April 2024
- Issue withdrawal date
- 1 November 2024
- Denomination
- 1 x $1.50, 1 x $3.00
- Stamp illustration
- Andrew Hopgood
- Stamp & product design
- Jason Watts, Australia Post Design Studio
- Paper: gummed
- Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor/Blue PVA Stamp Paper
- Printer
- Southern Impact
- Printing process
- Offset lithography
- Stamp size (mm)
- 37.5 x 26
- Minisheet/Sheetlet size (mm)
- 135 x 80
- Perforations
- 13.86 x 14.6
- Sheet layout
- Module of 50 (2 x 25 no design)
- FDI Postmark
- Christmas Island WA 6798
- FDI withdrawal date
- 22 May 2024
$1.50 TAA Boeing 727
The airport opened in June 1974 with great ceremony. While an adequate 2100-metre sealed runway had been constructed, the passenger terminal was no architectural masterpiece, referred to as “The Shed”. The first commercial jet service from Perth, a TAA Boeing 727, shown on the stamp, arrived on 6 June 1974.
$3.00 Virgin Airbus A320
In 1982-83 the runway was extended and in October 1992, a modern airport terminal was constructed, to be upgraded a few years later. In September 2018, it was renamed the Gordon Bennett Terminal in honour of the late union leader.
Since 2010, an Airbus A320 operated by Virgin Australia has provided passenger air services from Perth via the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Shop our stamp collectables
Set of Gummed Stamps:
Set of Christmas Island Airport - 50 Years Gummed Stamps
This set of stamps presents the two stamps from the Christmas Island Airport – 50 Years stamp issue.
Minisheet:
Christmas Island Airport - 50 Years Minisheet
This minisheet is from the Christmas Island Airport-50 Years stamp issue and presents the two stamps against an illustration of the airport and runway.
First day cover (gummed):
Christmas Island Airport - 50 Years First Day Cover (Gummed)
This Christmas Island Airport - 50 Years gummed first day cover features the two stamps from the stamp issue with first day of issue postmark.
First day cover (minisheet):
Christmas Island Airport- 50 Years First Day Cover (Minisheet)
This Christmas Island Airport - 50 Years minisheet first day cover features the minisheet from the stamp issue with first day of issue postmark.
- Set of Gummed Stamps
- Minisheet
- First day cover (gummed)
- First day cover (minisheet)
Additional collectables:
This content was produced at the time of the stamp issue release date and will not be updated.
