It is highly unlikely any other operator will be interested in taking on these routes vacated by Airlink. If they could'nt afford to run well maintained 310's & Chieftains on these very marginal routes, who else could do it ?
About the only pax on those services out west these days are those employed by govt departments who have their fares paid for.
Most struggling bush families have no hope of affording the airfares to DBO from those smaller towns, possibly with the exception of CBA where the mining companies are.
It's a sign of the times in the bush, it's another big blow to rural people in those small towns.
The people from western NSW are now worse off than they were when Hazo's operated the routes 25 years ago.
Govt personnel & specialists will still travel on charters but for the rest it will mean many hours of driving on the Mitchell & Castlereagh highways.
Looks like the bookings on the countrylink coaches will be chockers for this Xmas !