11.30AM UPDATE:
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Virgin Australia had revealed more details this morning of its planned Tamworth to Sydney air services with the first flights from May 25 - at a special introductory price of $85.
Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti made the announcement in Tamworth after flying into the Country Music Capital on an ATR-72 Turboprop 68-seat aircraft which will fly the route.
Mr Borghetti says Virgin will operate six return services between Tamworth and Sydney each week with a return flight every day (excluding Saturday) departing Sydney at 1.55pm arriving into Tamworth at 3.00pm.
The flight will depart Tamworth at 3.30pm arriving into Sydney at 4.35pm.
"Tamworth is both a thriving commercial hub and a tourist destination, and the introduction of six Virgin Australia services between Tamworth and Sydney per week will support the ongoing development of Tamworth as an important regional destination," Mr Borghetti said.
The arrival of a second air service will be welcomed by business and tourism groups, as well as civic leaders, who have long been subjected to consumer criticism over Qantaslink's monopoly on the route and the higher fares many passengers have had to endure.
If you wanted to take a flight today on Qantaslink to Sydney it would cost you $525 - and if you wanted to fly back home to Tamworth tomorrow, the cheapest seat would be $285 up to $525.
Of course Qantas does offer special seat sale offers periodically and regularly for advanced bookings, as low as $69 one-way.
More details to come. Keep reading The Leader.
EARLIER: Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti is expected to fly into Tamworth today to announce a second air service between the city and Sydney.
The announcement is expected to include six flights a week between the Country Music Capital and Sydney with a cut price discount fair for the introductory flights.
The airline is expected to start servicing the city in about two months.
The arrival of Virgin Australia into Tamworth skies is expected to have a big impact on flying habits of locals and visitors and also crucially on airfare prices.
We'll have more to come on this big announcement shortly.