Remote gateway to Melville Island's Tiwi community.
Location
Milikapiti, Australia
Snake Bay Airport, known by its IATA code SNB and ICAO code YSNK, serves the community of Milikapiti on Melville Island in the Northern Territory of Australia. The airport provides essential air access to this remote Tiwi Islands community, which has limited surface transport connections to the mainland.
The facility is a small regional aerodrome primarily supporting light charter and scheduled regional services. It plays a vital role in connecting the Tiwi people with Darwin and other regional centers for medical, administrative, and commercial purposes.
Milikapiti, formerly known as Snake Bay, is home to a predominantly Indigenous Australian population. The airport supports tourism, particularly for visitors seeking Tiwi Islands art and cultural experiences, as well as essential services for local residents.
Terminals
The airport features a simple, small terminal facility appropriate for a remote community aerodrome with minimal passenger processing infrastructure.
Getting to & from
Ground transport from the airport to Milikapiti township is limited, typically relying on private vehicles or community transport arrangements.
Airlines here
Airnorth has operated scheduled regional services connecting Snake Bay Airport to Darwin and other Tiwi Islands airstrips.
Notable facts
- ›Located on Melville Island, one of the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory of Australia.
- ›The town of Milikapiti was formerly named Snake Bay, which is reflected in the airport's name.
- ›Melville Island is one of Australia's largest islands and is accessible primarily by air or boat.
- ›The airport supports access to the Tiwi Islands, known for their distinctive Indigenous art and culture.
- ›Special permits were historically required for non-Indigenous visitors to access the Tiwi Islands.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.