DODGY weather, air traffic jams, passengers who forget to set the alarm clock – delays are an inherent part of flying.
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But the delay plaguing Tamworth’s much-vaunted new air service to Brisbane is one of a different kind.
JetGo this week again pushed back its Tamworth launch date, saying passengers would have to wait until March 2 for its maiden voyage.
This comes despite tickets already being sold for February flights and blanket marketing to spruik the new service’s start date.
It’s not CASA regulations or sluggish ticket sales that have the airline grounded, but a quibble over security charges with Tamworth Regional Council.
The impasse revolves around the extra cost associated with keeping security staff on duty for the extra hours each day it would take to service JetGo passengers.
Council wants JetGo to bear the cost, JetGo wants to “go Dutch” with council.
On face value, it would seem an unreasonable request from JetGo, which surely should be responsible for charges incurred by its own passengers.
But the regional airline game marches to a very peculiar beat.
Air travel is like a vital organ to regional communities and, as such, airlines drive a hard bargain when it comes to overheads like security and landing fees.
Just this week, Narrabri council dangled a succulent cash carrot in front of airlines in its ongoing bid to secure a Sydney service.
And Regional Express (Rex) would make Donald Trump blush with some of the demands it has put on councils desperate for a carrier over the years.
Tamworth to Brisbane is a marginal route, putting JetGo in an even stronger bargaining position.
Councils should not be in the business of propping up private companies.
But ultimately, that may be the only way to secure a carrier to Brisbane.