A NEW air service between Armidale and Brisbane will consolidate the importance of Armidale and its airport as a regional hub, Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said today.
Fly Corporate announced the service yesterday, to start on 1 August, as an extension of its existing air network linking regional communities with Brisbane.
“A company with 40 years’ experience behind it does not introduce a service unless it has carefully weighed the route’s merits,” Mr Marshall said.
“The fact that Corporate Air, the parent company of Fly Corporate, has seen potential in an Armidale-Brisbane route indicates the growing importance of Armidale as a regional city in the confidence in the Northern Tablelands region.”
Mr Marshall said the extra airline service would also bolster the case for further investment from the state government in Armidale Regional Airport.
“Already we’ve seen $1 million committed from Roads Minister Duncan Gay for the new roundabout on the New England Highway to service the airport and industrial subdivisions and $1.5 million delivered to ensure council can expand the airside aircraft parking apron to four bays,” he said.
“I’m now working to secure another $6.3 million for the expansion of the airport terminal to cater for further growth in passenger numbers, security screening and an airline lounge.”
Fly Corporate plans to fly one outbound and one inbound service from Armidale each weekday, departing at 6.15am and returning at 5.10pm.
It will also run an Armidale-Brisbane service on Saturday, and a Brisbane-Armidale service on Sunday.
Brisbane offers New England residents an alternative gateway to 28 international destinations serviced from Brisbane Airport.
“I welcome Fly Corporate to our region and commend council on its work facilitating the company’s arrival in the Northern Tablelands,” Mr Marshall said.