Shire to keep pushing for regular airport flights

Narrabri Shire Council will continue to push for regular local passenger flights.

At last week’s ordinary meeting of council, elected members endorsed a mayoral minute granting interim general manager Eloise Chaplain the authority to engage with commercial airlines and aviation operators.

The decision to keep pursuing commercial flight opportunities follows the recent change to Link Airways’ Brisbane to Sydney route with stops in Inverell and Narrabri.

The airline announced it would cease flights between Narrabri and Sydney, however, continues to offer services between Narrabri and the Queensland capital.

Mayor Darrell Tiemens said Mrs Chaplain needed to be empowered by councillors to start pursuing flight opportunities.

“The reason it should come to council is that it’s actually not in our current operational plan,” Mrs Chaplain told last week’s council meeting.

“So if you want us to do some work on that, we need to be endorsed to do that so we can prioritise accordingly.

“We’ll have a report come back from our director of commercial services and finance about what we’re doing, what we plan to do, so you can endorse that going forward.”

Cr Tiemens highlighted the importance of Narrabri boasting regular air services from the airport.

“Although we continue to see strong commercial charter activity and maintain a weekly service to Sydney via FlyPelican, as well as a weekly flight to Newcastle, it is timely for council to take proactive steps in seeking broader airline engagement,” Cr Tiemens said.

“Narrabri Shire continues to grow, and our airport remains a key enabler of connectivity, economic opportunity, and regional liveability.

“Regular passenger services are important not only for business and tourism, but also for improving access to specialist medical services, government services, and other key sectors.

“I therefore recommend that council endorse efforts to engage with commercial airlines and aviation operators with a view to restoring and expanding regular passenger services at Narrabri Airport.

“Our airport is a vital asset, and it is important that we continue to actively advocate for improved air connectivity for our community.”

Following Link Airways’ announcement to suspend flights between Narrabri and Sydney from the start of March, Cr Tiemens met with the airline regarding their decision to suspend flights.

“While disappointing, this has been softened slightly by the increase in flights to Brisbane,” Cr Tiemens said at the time.

“Council is working hard to restore flights from Narrabri to Sydney, but it remains a challenge given the high operating costs.

“A positive outcome of our discussions was Link Airways’ new agreement with Virgin Australia, allowing passengers to check bags in at Narrabri Airport for connecting Virgin flights while also earning frequent flyer points.”