TAMWORTH jet-setters want an airline to establish a direct flight to Melbourne.
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New figures revealed the airport has seen its busiest 12-month period ever, with just shy of 200,000 passengers travelling through Tamworth.
I do know quite often Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour get chosen because of the more frequent flights that are available.
- Jye Segboer
Even after a period of rapid growth, the people of Tamworth want to see some more destinations added to the flight board.
Tamworth travel agent Chris Watson told The Leader the Gold Coast and Melbourne were some of the most sought-after domestic locations.
A direct Melbourne route could prove beneficial for the Tamworth economy too, with a great deal of interest in the region from Victoria, Mr Watson says.
“We’ve got a group of 62 coming from Melbourne and they’ve got to have a stopover in Sydney,” he said.
Tamworth has a lot going for it, the travel agent said and increased air routes would widen the region’s tourism market.
“We could really become a weekend destination with things like Taste, Hats Off, sporting events and concerts,” he said.
Tamworth Business Chamber president Jye Segboer said there was a lot for the city to gain by boosting its flight capacity.
“I do know quite often Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour get chosen [for conferences] because of the more frequent flights that are available,” Mr Segboer said.
“At a conference of 1000 delegates over a three-day period, a delegate could spend up to $400 a day.
“We miss out on a two or three day conference, that’s $200,000 that could have been injected into the town.”
Tamworth Regional Council finally secured state government funding for the Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence earlier this year which could become another draw-card for national events if the flights are there.
“Instead of just looking at state finals and state championships, there will greater opportunities for national sporting events,” Mr Segboer said.
An online poll of The Leader’s readers found more than 60 per cent of respondents were in favour of a Melbourne route becoming available.
Next on the wishlist was the Gold Coast with 17 per cent of the vote, while Newcastle was the number one priority for eight per cent.