From ABC online today.
Melbourne and Sydney duel over new airline
Melbourne and Sydney Airports have confirmed they are competing heavily against each other to convince Singapore Airlines to base a domestic airline in their ports.
Singapore Airlines has completed a detailed feasibility study into the viability of a third Australian domestic airline, and has held talks with both airports.
It is proposing a two class carrier to fill the niche between Virgin and Qantas, with regular flights between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and possibly Adelaide or Perth.
Melbourne Airport's Chris Barlow has told ABC's Inside Business there is a lot of competition between the local airports to secure the much-talked-about airline.
"We're all in competition with each other," he said.
"I mean, I'm all the time trying to grab some traffic from Sydney and I'm sure in reverse that's what's happening as well.
"I'm sure any airline that wanted to start an operation in Australia, we here in Melbourne will be very keen to have them," he said