Budget airlines eye Illawarra/Shoalhaven
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Budget airlines eye Illawarra/Shoalhaven
Mon "Illawarra Mercury"
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..
=========================================
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..
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Singapore, Bangkok. Are not they shared airports? So many more half Military half Public airports all over the world, why not Oz?
I realise there is a whole lot more to consider and I'm not just talking about Nowra but why don't we use our Military bases more, just like Willy.
I realise there is a whole lot more to consider and I'm not just talking about Nowra but why don't we use our Military bases more, just like Willy.
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For years the Shellharbour City Council treated Wollongong airport with nothing but contempt.
They refused to install lighting which was done by a private user.
They refused to maintain the airport surface and imposed a 5700kg structural limit.
The only exeptions was the VIP HS748 that visited on occasion.
They only cut the grass when it dried out and became a fire hazard.
The airport surface may be upgraded but at the end of the day you will find residents screaming about noise (they do already with 2 seater pistons) and the politicians will back down.
Secondly the runways lack suitable approach aids apart from a GPS approach for runway 16 which doesnt really help on a really crappy day.
No approach lighting to that runway and no VASI/PAPI either.
Rwy 34 has a displaced threshold and a bloody great hill to the south which would hinder a jet circling onto that runway.
In all - Nowra would be the go unless an ILS could be installed onto 16.
They refused to install lighting which was done by a private user.
They refused to maintain the airport surface and imposed a 5700kg structural limit.
The only exeptions was the VIP HS748 that visited on occasion.
They only cut the grass when it dried out and became a fire hazard.
The airport surface may be upgraded but at the end of the day you will find residents screaming about noise (they do already with 2 seater pistons) and the politicians will back down.
Secondly the runways lack suitable approach aids apart from a GPS approach for runway 16 which doesnt really help on a really crappy day.
No approach lighting to that runway and no VASI/PAPI either.
Rwy 34 has a displaced threshold and a bloody great hill to the south which would hinder a jet circling onto that runway.
In all - Nowra would be the go unless an ILS could be installed onto 16.
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Didn't Nopulse run B1900Ds between the 'Gong and the Bleak City? If they couldn't fill 19 seats what hope is there of filling B737s or A320s?
Nowra certainly is less restricted in terms of rwy, navaids, etc but why drive to Nowra for 1 flight a day or less when Mascot is not much further for any number of flights?
Cheers
Nowra certainly is less restricted in terms of rwy, navaids, etc but why drive to Nowra for 1 flight a day or less when Mascot is not much further for any number of flights?
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Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story!
Truth is:
a. Impulse never had full capacity EITHER way and hence the service died a natural death.
b. Out of Wollongong it has been tried 5 times (that I know of) with varying destination......all failures.
c. Shellharbour Council is trying to get interest/money for their pet hobby horse HARS to function from the airport. See, the runway has a 5700kg limit but the Constellation is over 55,000kg and the runway needs strengthening IMMEDIATELY as they are presently grounded because of the damage that they are causing to the surface ($24,000 worth at last count).
d. Not one airline; neither Jetstar or Virgin too, are interested in starting services to Wollongong....this is council putting their spin on things to try and generate government (state and Federal) funding. Latest is the governemts aren't about to be conned on this issue and no money will be forthcoming.
e. Anyone ever associated in any way, shape or form with the office holders of Shellharbour Council will understand the lengths and breadths these dirt bags will go to to foister a con on the general public......believe me, they are the masters when it comes to twisting the truth. Anyone even considering a move down this way on the strength of something they have heard /read from this mob would be well advised to DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Quick note for Beer Can Dreaming....both 16 and 34 have PAPI (and have done for some time).
a. Impulse never had full capacity EITHER way and hence the service died a natural death.
b. Out of Wollongong it has been tried 5 times (that I know of) with varying destination......all failures.
c. Shellharbour Council is trying to get interest/money for their pet hobby horse HARS to function from the airport. See, the runway has a 5700kg limit but the Constellation is over 55,000kg and the runway needs strengthening IMMEDIATELY as they are presently grounded because of the damage that they are causing to the surface ($24,000 worth at last count).
d. Not one airline; neither Jetstar or Virgin too, are interested in starting services to Wollongong....this is council putting their spin on things to try and generate government (state and Federal) funding. Latest is the governemts aren't about to be conned on this issue and no money will be forthcoming.
e. Anyone ever associated in any way, shape or form with the office holders of Shellharbour Council will understand the lengths and breadths these dirt bags will go to to foister a con on the general public......believe me, they are the masters when it comes to twisting the truth. Anyone even considering a move down this way on the strength of something they have heard /read from this mob would be well advised to DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Quick note for Beer Can Dreaming....both 16 and 34 have PAPI (and have done for some time).
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Yeah, I reckon once the neighbours votes come into it, that will be the end of it - just imagine a 737 lifting off the end of 16 heading out over all those lovely new crammed in brick vaneers. Theyd love it. That place always strikes me as a bit of a waste. Why is that runway so long when nothing much bigger than one of those pesky trikes can use it anyway?
BTW, I dont reckon it's all that often when the GPS NPA on 16 will not get most things in there.
BTW, I dont reckon it's all that often when the GPS NPA on 16 will not get most things in there.
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Airport not suitable
Tues "Illawarra Mercury"
Airport not suitable
By GREG ELLIS
April 27, 2004
INFRASTRUCTURE would have to improve dramatically at Illawarra Regional Airport or HMAS Albatross before JetStar could seriously consider a passenger service from the Illawarra or Shoalhaven.
JetStar corporate relations manager Simon Westaway yesterday hosed down speculation the airline was interested in Albion Park or HMAS Albatross in the near future.
Mr Westaway, who previously worked in corporate affairs at Impulse Airlines, said he was familiar with facilities at Albion Park but from JetStar's point of view the airport was restricted.
He said JetStar would never rule out any airport but while the airline had inspected the facility it had no short or medium-term plan to start flying into the area.
The A320 airbus was unsuitable for the Albion Park runway in its present state.
"The South Coast is not currently earmarked as a region we are seriously looking at but we are not dismissive of the merits of the market," he said.
"The airport has potential but it has to be accommodated by some appropriate infrastructure."
Mr Westaway was also aware of the runway length at HMAS Albatross but again a lack of infrastructure was an issue.
He had no doubt there was sufficient population south of the Sydney Basin to sustain a service but wasn't sure it would fill a 125 or 177-seat aircraft.
Virgin Blue earlier told the Mercury it was very interested in the South Coast.
============================================
Airport not suitable
By GREG ELLIS
April 27, 2004
INFRASTRUCTURE would have to improve dramatically at Illawarra Regional Airport or HMAS Albatross before JetStar could seriously consider a passenger service from the Illawarra or Shoalhaven.
JetStar corporate relations manager Simon Westaway yesterday hosed down speculation the airline was interested in Albion Park or HMAS Albatross in the near future.
Mr Westaway, who previously worked in corporate affairs at Impulse Airlines, said he was familiar with facilities at Albion Park but from JetStar's point of view the airport was restricted.
He said JetStar would never rule out any airport but while the airline had inspected the facility it had no short or medium-term plan to start flying into the area.
The A320 airbus was unsuitable for the Albion Park runway in its present state.
"The South Coast is not currently earmarked as a region we are seriously looking at but we are not dismissive of the merits of the market," he said.
"The airport has potential but it has to be accommodated by some appropriate infrastructure."
Mr Westaway was also aware of the runway length at HMAS Albatross but again a lack of infrastructure was an issue.
He had no doubt there was sufficient population south of the Sydney Basin to sustain a service but wasn't sure it would fill a 125 or 177-seat aircraft.
Virgin Blue earlier told the Mercury it was very interested in the South Coast.
============================================
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Virgin Blue earlier told the Mercury it was very interested in the South Coast.
The only way VB will ever operate to the South Coast Regional Airport (most likely Nowra) is if it were to be given huge tax concessions or the route subsidised from a state grant.
If you believe it will ever happen then I have quite a few shares in the SydneyHarbour Bridge to sell you..........
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I know it ain't gonna happen, but just imagine:
"JetStar 591, clear to takeoff RWY 34, caution, wake turbulence, departing trike..."
(I know, I know, no tower at YWOL... no anything really... but don't let the facts get in the way of a good (or bad) joke)
Adam
"JetStar 591, clear to takeoff RWY 34, caution, wake turbulence, departing trike..."
(I know, I know, no tower at YWOL... no anything really... but don't let the facts get in the way of a good (or bad) joke)
Adam
