TAMWORTH business leaders will lobby aviation officials for a firm commitment on flight slots to and from Sydney, after the latest seasonal flight schedules were announced.
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On Monday, Tamworth business chamber president Jye Segboer welcomed moves by Virgin Australia to reinstate six flights that had been removed from its summer schedule in November, but he also called for a more concrete commitment to flight slots to and from the city.
It follows a decision by Qantas to continue on with its reduced schedule from late last year, with fewer flights and bigger planes on its Tamworth to Sydney service.
“Since Virgin Australia started flying this route, they have each year removed the six services in the November period and put them back in March or April – it’s not something new,” Mr Segboer said.
“I guess the question is, where do they go? Are they utilised in another port across that timeframe, or do they cancel them altogether?”
Mr Segboer said it is more about “reliability” of services for business.
He said a reliable schedule is a must if the region is to grow.
“We have to have regular and frequent services to ensure productivity and business growth and to be seen as a connected region to Sydney,” he said.
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“I certainly think any event planners looking at coming to the region would be looking at the frequency of the services.
“While we might not know the effects right away, it could be damaging into the future.
“I do want to encourage Virgin to maintain those flights across the summer period and we will be lobbying them to ensure those services remain in place for summer this year.”
In a statement to The Leader, Virgin Australia reaffirmed its commitment to flight services in the area.
“Our Sydney to Tamworth route remains important to us and we look forward to continuing to welcome local passengers on our services,” the statement said.
“Virgin Australia currently operates nine return services per week between Sydney and Tamworth, and will be adding an extra three return services from April 2018 to September 2018 as part of our regular seasonal schedule.”
The services being returned are flight VA1157 departing Sydney on a Sunday evening at 6.25pm and 6:45pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, while flight VA1148, will depart Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6.30am.
