Friday, 17 April 2020
A DELIGHTED Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today welcomed confirmation that QantasLink will be back in the skies above Armidale from next Friday, after briefly suspending services to Sydney due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Marshall said QantasLink’s proposed ‘minimum viable network’ proposal had been approved by the Commonwealth Government, after Mr Marshall wrote and spoke with Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Michael McCormack last week, requesting his intervention to keep a direct air link for the region to Sydney.
He said the new operating model would see Armidale retain two daily return services to Sydney each week, on Tuesday and Friday, beginning next Friday, 27 April.
Tamworth and Dubbo will also have a similar service, on alternate days.
“I am absolutely delighted by the news today,” Mr Marshall said.
“With all the doom and gloom at the moment, this is an important positive boost for our region and ensures that vital direct air link with Sydney will continue.
“While the current COVID-19 travel restrictions means hardly anyone is flying at the moment, have the service is vital for essential travel, such as key medical specialists and other key services, which regularly fly in from Sydney.
“Armidale Regional Airport is the gateway to the Northern Tablelands and northern New England region, so this development is a huge boost for many communities, not just Armidale.”
Mr Marshall thanked QantasLink and the Deputy Prime Minister for standing by us and supporting the Armidale service.
“This air link is vital for our region and on behalf of the community, I thank QantasLink and the Deputy Prime Minister for quickly understanding and acting to restore the service in these difficult times,” he said.
“We are very fortunate to be now one of only a handful of regional centres that will still have an air service link to Sydney, with almost all other routes suspended by all airlines.”
For up to date and official COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information and advice, click on the link – nsw.gov.au/covid-19