Dubbo-based Air Link has doubled its workforce as it gears up to provide a regular passenger service to three western NSW towns, the first to the ports in more than a decade.
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Two extra pilots have joined the airline that will operate direct return flights between Dubbo and Bourke, and Dubbo, Walgett and Lightning Ridge from next week.
The launch of the new routes comes after the NSW government and the Far North West Joint Organisation (FNWJO) struck a deal to return regular commercial flights to western ports, cutting hours of travel time.
The government stumped up $8 million to ensure the sustainability of the new routes, which also includes direct flights between Cobar and Sydney, and Cobar and Dubbo, operated by FlyPelican.
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When an Air Link Piper Chieftain takes to the skies bound for Bourke on Monday morning, it will be connecting a town that's been without a regular commercial service for 12 years.
The launch also marks a new era for the company, which has a 45-year history and has long been known for its charter services.
It brings to fruition 12 months of planning by Air Link general manager Ron O'Brien, who moved to Dubbo to take up the leadership role in October 2018.
Air Link has recruited two more pilots to its team, and has grown from four employees to nine, he reports.
Paul Lane moved across the country to take up a pilot position.
"Paul and his family have moved from Darwin, so he's brought his wife and four young kids, so he's got a lot of faith," Mr O'Brien said.
"We've given him our story and shown him our plans and said here's who we are, this is what we're hoping to achieve, and he's shown a lot of faith in doing that."
Since the new services were announced in August, Mr O'Brien said they had fielded "a lot of phone calls".
"There's been steady bookings," he said.
Mr O'Brien anticipated government travel would be "the key".
"Tourism will be a small part of what we're about," he said.
"In terms of numbers initially, I think that will be mainly government travel, and then hopefully we get business, small business and industry travelling with interest in these rural areas as well.
"Then tourism will probably follow it, because there's always this trail."
Under the deal between the government and the FNWJO, a "community fare" is available on Air Link and FlyPelican flights on the new routes for residents with an address falling within postcodes in the Bourke, Cobar or Walgett shires.