The inaugural JetGo flight brought an end to a 15-month hiatus of direct Tamworth-to-Brisbane flights after the collapse of Brindabella Airlines. 

The flight touched down 20 minutes behind the scheduled 11.30am, with the first Tamworth flight due to leave at noon.

Tamworth woman Trish Griffin said she welcomed the service and was “thrilled” she would no longer has to pay for more expensive, indirect flights through Sydney. 

Ms Griffin flies to Brisbane every three months for specialist doctor’s appointments and the lack of a direct flight for more than a year saw her facing steep costs. 

Although she wasn’t flying today, she made the trip to the airport to witness JetGo’s first Brisbane to  Tamworth voyage. 

“I’m just so pleased that it’s coming to Tamworth,” Ms Griffin said. 

“I hope people patronise it so it can keep going.”

Dutch national Imke Kokkeler worked with horses on a Quirindi farm for two months and was flying yesterday to do a similar job on a farm near Emerald. 

She said the alternative would have been a 10 hour bus trip and was grateful to fly to Brisbane direct.

Brisbane-based David Hudson and his mother Barbara were relieved the flight was available, after a death in the family required them to make quick travel arrangements for a funeral in the area. 

The flight route will also be well-patronised by businesses, with Brisbane-based mining industry consultant Richard Kirkwood saying he would use the flights once a month to get to Gunnedah. 

Tamworth airport manager Julie Stewart said she was often contacted by locals and businesses telling 

her how much they wanted the 

Tamworth to Brisbane service. 

She said it had been a challenge to find a carrier that had aircraft and time slots to fly out of Tamworth, that would also be sustainable into the future. 

She said this initial month’s service was “not ideal”, but there would be a better flight schedule with twice daily returns come April. 

“We’re so thrilled to have our Brisbane service back,” Ms Stewart said. 

“It opens the door to our northern neighbours... it’s good to have that connectivity.”