AIR travel to Tamworth could become more expensive after Virgin abandoned plans to return flights to the city.
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After being purchased by Bain Capital last month, the airline released a new timetable of flights as services begin to resume after the COVID-19 lockdown.
Major centres like Newcastle, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay remain on the list, but Tamworth didn't make the flight schedule.
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Virgin's exit from the city would leave Qantas and Fly Corporate as the only choice of commercial airlines for locals.
Tamworth mayor Col Murray said the loss of the airline could be detrimental to the region's tourism.
"It is a bit disappointing," Cr Murray said on Friday.
"I haven't had the opportunity to have a look at their whole fleet make up and what routes they are scaling back to, so it is a bit hard to comment.
"I don't think this decision is too surprising given the impacts COVID-19 has had on that industry.
"Nonetheless, it is disappointing and it's just another project we need to get cracking on to ensure we get another competitor here to ensure those flights are in reach of local travellers."
Tamworth's exclusion from the schedule comes after Virgin announced the resumption of 17 domestic routes, which are expected to be operational by August 4.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said he would also push to ensure a second commercial carrier for Tamworth.
"I was very disappointed when I opened the information [on Thursday] and saw the map did not contain Tamworth," he said.
"I thought they had supported Tamworth very well and I was disappointed they had not chosen to continue flying here at this time.
"I've placed a call to their CEO to see what their plans are for Tamworth and I believe they need to be here.
"We need that competition, we need to bring the cost of flights down so that more people can use them.
"We've got the capacity, people will fly and that's what we need."
New England MP Barnaby Joyce said he would be seeking clarification from the company regarding the decision.
"Obviously at first blush it seems ridiculous that you would put at risk what is a very viable route," Mr Joyce told the Leader.
"If Virgin want to be that competition I would suggest they would have to reverse their decision, or it will be absorbed by another airline.
"We will be following it up with Bain Capital, that's for sure."
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the air travel industry to a halt and prompted Qantas to axe 6000 jobs last month.
"There has been contact with Qantas regarding jobs in Tamworth," Cr Murray said.
"The staff at the Tamworth airport have had good two-way communication with Qantas and are sorting everything out."
Virgin has been contacted for comment.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
