AN AIRLINE run by former local aviation identity Paul Bredereck has come from the clouds to emerge as a serious contender to resurrect flights between Tamworth and Brisbane.
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Brisbane-based carrier Jetgo Australia has been in negotiations with Tamworth Regional Council for several months about restarting the defunct service.
The privately owned company was launched in 2012 and initially concentrated on charter services for Queensland’s fly-in, fly-out mining workforce.
But later this month it will commence commercial passenger operations between Sydney and the Queensland mining hubs of Roma and Gladstone.
The company has a strong local connection, with former Tamworth businessman Paul Bredereck serving as the managing director of airlines.
Mr Bredereck, who owned Tamair between 1985 and 1998, told The Leader he would be in Tamworth today to hold further talks with the council.
“We’ve been in discussions with the council since August and it’s a route that we’re very interested in,” he said.
Tamworth passengers have been without direct flights to Queensland’s capital since Brindabella Airlines collapsed in December last year.
Cairns-based carrier Skytrans appeared to be the airline most likely to succeed Brindabella when it announced its interest in the route back in January.
But the airline appeared to lose interest after struggling to find either sufficient counter space or suitable landing slots at Brisbane Airport.
According to its website, Jetgo is the country’s “only operator of 36- to 50-seat regional jet aircraft” and flies Brazilian-manufactured Embraer planes.
The airline has Civil Aviation Safety Authority approval to carry out regular public transport operations, but would need to have the Tamworth-Brisbane service added to its licence.
Mr Bredereck told Fairfax Media last month that Jetgo would target regional routes in NSW and Queensland with high yields that were not within easy driving distance of a capital city airport.
