feasible. The study will also look at funding options. As of February 2012, Council does not have the required $4.5 million for the pavement upgrade, but has some plans to improve the terminal facilities. It is hoped some grants will be made available for the upgrade via both the Australian and State Governments. One source of funding the council is looking at is selling some of the airport land (of which there is plenty surrounding the actual airport itself) to raise the required funds. In 2009, Council started the process of handing over the day-to-day running of the airport to another company. This company is conducting its feasibility study and an answer was expected by August 2009. However, the airport was still operated by the Corporation of the City of Whyalla in July 2012. A refurbished terminal was completed in mid 2014, with this upgrade allowing Qantaslink to begin services to the airport from April the following year. The airline offers 13 flights per week between Adelaide and Whyalla. Bombardier Q300 aircraft is used on the route. Regional Express maintain multiple flights per day to Adelaide on their Saab 340 Aircraft. Airlines and destinations Statistics Whyalla Airport was ranked 51st in Australia for the number of revenue passengers served in financial year 2010–2011. Accidents and incidents On 31 May 2000, a Piper PA-31-350 aircraft, registration VH-MZK, operated by Whyalla Airlines on flight WW904 crashed in the Spencer Gulf en route from Adelaide to Whyalla. The pilot and seven passengers were killed in the accident. The pilot radioed a mayday transmission when approximately from Whyalla advising air traffic control he intended to ditch the aircraft in the water if he could not make Whyalla Airport. The last reported position was from the airport. The subsequent investigation conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found the aircraft had suffered component failures in both of its engines. See also List of airports in South Australia Mullaquana, South Australia References External links Whyalla Airport Airports in South Australia Whyalla