Australia's largest airport, Alice Springs Airport will be handing land over to he government to build residential housing after the approval of the 2010 Alice Springs Airport Master Plan.

The plan put together by Northern Territory Airports was approved by Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, to increase housing within Alice Springs.

"Excising this parcel of land from the existing airport lease to facilitate the development of a residential area is a key element of the Alice Springs Master Plan 2010. The Alice Springs community has a critical need for additional housing in the region and the unique characteristics of the airport site have warranted this in-principle support from the Australian Government," Northern Territory Airports Chief Executive Officer, Ian Kew said.