VINCENT Aviation is in a race against time to secure the final approval it requires to begin flights for the Narrabri-Sydney route tomorrow.
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The airline, as of late yesterday afternoon, was still to obtain the all-clear to fly from Transport for NSW.
The uncertainty comes despite the airline successfully completing a “proving flight” from Narrabri to Sydney last Thursday under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s watchful eye.
CASA issued the Northern Territory-based airline with a new Air Operator’s Certificate that included the additional route yesterday afternoon.
But Transport for NSW was yesterday unwilling or unable to give ticket-holders any indication about whether they would be flying tomorrow.
“Transport for NSW is assessing a licence application for the Narrabri to Sydney route and has sought further advice from the operator as required by the licence application process,” a spokesman said.
Vincent Aviation is seeking an interim operating licence to service the route following the collapse of Brindabella Airlines last year.
In a show of confidence, a fortnight ago the airline announced flights would start tomorrow and issued tickets starting from $149.
If approved, Vincent Aviation’s interim operating licence will be valid until late March, at which time Transport for NSW will appoint a carrier to the route for four years.
It is the only airline to announce publicly its application to service the government-regulated route on the exclusive licence.