The federal Transport Minister says Sydney’s second airport will ease the pain of regional passengers – but there is no need to guarantee regional slots in its design, as it won’t operate on a slot system.
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However, his NSW counterpart says “kicking this down the road until Western Sydney Airport is open” in 2026 was not the solution.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Michael McCormack said as a regional MP, he was “acutely aware” of the need for consistent and reliable air services ensuring regional Australians could travel for business and leisure.
“Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is the only airport in Australia that operates a slot management system,” his spokesperson said.
“The Western Sydney Airport is designed to handle the long term growth in the Sydney market and will not need to operate with a slot management system meaning that any airline – including regional airlines – wanting to operate into it will be able to do so.
“And crucially, the Western Sydney Airport will also operate without a curfew.”
The government has committed $5.3 billion to building the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, which is expected to be fully operational in 2026.
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NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said it was within the federal government’s power to fix the problem now.
“As I have said before, I am urging Canberra to create five new slots exclusively for the use of regional routes at Kingsford Smith,” Mr Constance said.
“The biggest handbrake on growth in regional aviation is the cap on slots.
“We have deregulated regional air routes and new services have started on five of these routes. We’re also pumping $100 million into upgrading regional airport infrastructure.
“We don’t agree on kicking this down the road until Western Sydney Airport is open – it is something the federal government has the power to fix right now.
“This is about regional development, growth in regional tourism, and access for country people to essential services such as healthcare.”
Earlier this week, The Leader reported it was almost as costly to fly from Tamworth ($256) or Armidale ($322) to Sydney – flights of less than 400km – as it was for a 6300km-flight from Sydney to Singapore ($322).
Meanwhile, QantasLink has reinstated key Tamworth-Sydney flights in the morning and evening.
Jamieson Murphy
Newcastle Herald news director. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Newcastle Herald news director. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
