Wirraway
19th Apr 2004, 04:24
Mon "Illawarra Mercury"
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/19/planetails.jpg
Fresh hopes: Virgin Blue and JetStar are showing renewed interest in the Illawarra Regional Airport, raising hopes of services out of Albion Park.
Budget airlines eye region
By GREG ELLIS
April 19, 2004
COMMUTER hopes of a daily airline service out of Albion Park have been rejuvenated with two low-cost airlines expressing renewed interest in the airport.
Virgin Blue strategy and communications head David Huttner said the airline was very interested in operating a passenger service out of the Illawarra
and/or Shoalhaven.
Virgin Blue and rival JetStar have both recently inspected Illawarra Regional Airport.
"We would love to fly to the Wollongong area but we only have one kind of jet, a 737," Mr Huttner said.
"We eagerly await the day a 737-capable airport opens on the South Coast. We fly to Coffs Harbour and Ballina and in Queensland we fly to Rockhampton and Mackay.
"They are communities that are smaller than the Wollongong area. We believe there are people in Wollongong, who if there was an airport capable of taking a 737, would fly. We would look at any airport that would be more convenient for people of the Illawarra region than driving to Mascot."
Mr Huttner agreed the Albion Park runway's capacity was limited but said Virgin Blue would offer flights from Wollongong to places like Melbourne and the Gold Coast if someone could provide it with a suitable airport.
"We have told the NSW Government there are a number of regional centres around the state we would love to introduce services to if regular airports had the capacity," he said.
Shellharbour City Council operations and services director Arthur Webster confirmed Virgin Blue and JetStar, which operates A320s, had both visited Albion Park during the past month.
They felt the number of people within a 30km radius suggested it had the potential to operate viably with low-cost airfares but acknowledged the strength of the runway would need to be addressed before they could seriously consider providing services.
The pavement has a 7500kg capacity but BlueScope Steel and Australian Steel Mill Services have agreed to provide materials to upgrade the surface.
Federal and state funding was being sought to reseal runway with that material.
"It is very unlikely they would operate aircraft such as A320s or 737s from our runway," Mr Webster said.
However, the Mercury understands the two airlines may be looking at link services with other aircraft capable of carrying 50 to 70 passengers.
Shoalhaven Mayor Greg Watson said if airlines were interested in Nowra he would happily try to facilitate a passenger service out of HMAS Albatross.
Shoalhaven Council previously had an agreement with the Navy that allowed a civil airline to operate on the runway that was capable of landing a Boeing 747.
But Councillor Watson had no doubt there would be some security issues to address.
Newcastle Airport, where Virgin Blue intends to launch a direct daily service between Brisbane and Newcastle next month, already has a long-term lease with the Department of Defence.
Wollongong Image Campaign general manager Bob Doyle said a low-cost passenger service could deliver substantial tourist and economic benefits to the Illawarra.
"People travelling on the low-cost airlines tend to like a low-cost tourism experience which Wollongong can provide. Having an airline operating in and out of the region would also create a lot of local employment," he said.
Mr Doyle was sure tourism and business people would also applaud such a service..
=========================================
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/19/planetails.jpg
Fresh hopes: Virgin Blue and JetStar are showing renewed interest in the Illawarra Regional Airport, raising hopes of services out of Albion Park.
Budget airlines eye region
By GREG ELLIS
April 19, 2004
COMMUTER hopes of a daily airline service out of Albion Park have been rejuvenated with two low-cost airlines expressing renewed interest in the airport.
Virgin Blue strategy and communications head David Huttner said the airline was very interested in operating a passenger service out of the Illawarra
and/or Shoalhaven.
Virgin Blue and rival JetStar have both recently inspected Illawarra Regional Airport.
"We would love to fly to the Wollongong area but we only have one kind of jet, a 737," Mr Huttner said.
"We eagerly await the day a 737-capable airport opens on the South Coast. We fly to Coffs Harbour and Ballina and in Queensland we fly to Rockhampton and Mackay.
"They are communities that are smaller than the Wollongong area. We believe there are people in Wollongong, who if there was an airport capable of taking a 737, would fly. We would look at any airport that would be more convenient for people of the Illawarra region than driving to Mascot."
Mr Huttner agreed the Albion Park runway's capacity was limited but said Virgin Blue would offer flights from Wollongong to places like Melbourne and the Gold Coast if someone could provide it with a suitable airport.
"We have told the NSW Government there are a number of regional centres around the state we would love to introduce services to if regular airports had the capacity," he said.
Shellharbour City Council operations and services director Arthur Webster confirmed Virgin Blue and JetStar, which operates A320s, had both visited Albion Park during the past month.
They felt the number of people within a 30km radius suggested it had the potential to operate viably with low-cost airfares but acknowledged the strength of the runway would need to be addressed before they could seriously consider providing services.
The pavement has a 7500kg capacity but BlueScope Steel and Australian Steel Mill Services have agreed to provide materials to upgrade the surface.
Federal and state funding was being sought to reseal runway with that material.
"It is very unlikely they would operate aircraft such as A320s or 737s from our runway," Mr Webster said.
However, the Mercury understands the two airlines may be looking at link services with other aircraft capable of carrying 50 to 70 passengers.
Shoalhaven Mayor Greg Watson said if airlines were interested in Nowra he would happily try to facilitate a passenger service out of HMAS Albatross.
Shoalhaven Council previously had an agreement with the Navy that allowed a civil airline to operate on the runway that was capable of landing a Boeing 747.
But Councillor Watson had no doubt there would be some security issues to address.
Newcastle Airport, where Virgin Blue intends to launch a direct daily service between Brisbane and Newcastle next month, already has a long-term lease with the Department of Defence.
Wollongong Image Campaign general manager Bob Doyle said a low-cost passenger service could deliver substantial tourist and economic benefits to the Illawarra.
"People travelling on the low-cost airlines tend to like a low-cost tourism experience which Wollongong can provide. Having an airline operating in and out of the region would also create a lot of local employment," he said.
Mr Doyle was sure tourism and business people would also applaud such a service..
=========================================