The aircraft that has been testing return day trips to Antarctica departed Hobart Airport to head back North on Tuesday afternoon.

The enormous Royal Australian Air Force plane, a C-17A Globemaster, has successfully completed three trial operational flights to Wilkins Aerodrome, 70 kilometres inland from Casey Station.

The aircraft dropped 20 tonnes of equipment to the blue ice runway, and has also been able to transport a tractor to Hobart for maintenance.

Tasmanian Polar Network chairman John Brennan said the ability to take heavy cargo in and out of Antarctica was a ‘‘redefining moment’’.

‘‘It will provide efficiencies and further strengthen the commercial and scientific opportunities our Antarctic gateway has to offer,’’ Mr Brennan said.

Hobart Airport chief executive Rod Parry said the flights opened the door to more opportunities and cemented Tasmania’s position as the Antarctic gateway.

‘‘These trials are demonstrating and proving the opportunities this type of heavy lift aviation operations can deliver for Australian but also other Antarctic programs basing from Hobart,’’ Mr Parry said.

The C-17 provides the Australian Antarctic Division with the ability to move large machinery and science equipment to and from the icy continent in a single day.

Until now, all large scale scientific and operational equipment and vehicles have been transported to Antarctica by the icebreaker Aurora Australis, with a gap of more than 12 months before serviced equipment can be returned South.