A NEW Qantas flight service from Tamworth to Dubbo and through to Sydney has taken off.
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Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson welcomed the regional loop at a press conference on Wednesday.
"At this point in time, given the extenuating circumstances and the severe financial impact on the travel industry as well as the transport networks - road, rail, and air, any services that can continue to fly to regional NSW will be gratefully received," he said.
"We will continue to work with them to do what we can to support."
At the moment one flight from Tamworth to Dubbo through to Sydney is available, with the next one booked for next Wednesday.
The situation is prone to change as QantasLink tries to maintain some sort of weekly service.
Passengers in and out of Tamworth have dwindled to extremely low numbers in recent weeks.
The Tamworth Airport terminal will be closed on the days flights are not scheduled, Tamworth Regional Council business and community director John Sommerlad said.
"Council appreciates Qantas is doing the best it can to provide services to and from Tamworth under the current extreme circumstances," he said.
The council could not confirm exact numbers as they are commercial in confidence, but the Leader understands it has been as low as three passengers.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has hit the aviation industry hard, Qantas and Jetstar have stood down the majority of its 30,000 employees until at least the end of May 2020.
Qantas was forced to cancel its hyped new Tamworth to Brisbane route in March.
At that point it took a knife to its Tamworth to Sydney services and flights were reduced from 29 to 12 each week, and now down to one.
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A new service will boost connectivity in the regions, Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray said.
"We're all part of a regional economy and whatever we can do we should be doing," he said.
"Certainly we are supportive of whatever enables a plane to land and pick up passengers and deposit passengers at Tamworth."
Qantas declined a request for comment.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
