Tamworth Regional Airport: plans to make airport a NSW maintenance and training hub to boost business

Avista Aviation was brought in to provide Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) with a blueprint to success; starting with attracting another competitive carrier to fly to Sydney.

It all started when an International Air Cargo study identified a 'long and difficult' road lies ahead for the airport to be able to sustain international freight.

Phil Betts is the chair of the Tamworth Regional Aviation Strategic Working Group.

He said the report outlined seven areas of improvement; from establishing an emergency services operator at the airport, bringing back a large-scale flight training school and targeting specific industry sectors to set up camp.

"The airport is a huge community asset and we need to make sure we have the systems in place to optimise it in the medium and long-term," he said.

"COVID had put a question mark over how we handle those things, but there are still viable opportunities for the future.

"We're absolutely always looking for competition in the market - we need to have the maximum advantage to offer the community."

The outbreak of COVID-19 hit the aviation industry hard at a global level and locally it hurt the hip pocket of the council.

Read also:

Passenger numbers have started to increase again as the state manages to control the disease, which has opened up more flights at the airport.

The council will note the report at its Tuesday meeting and start to look at strategic plans for when the crisis blows over.

Cr Betts said it was important to be in the best possible position.

"We need to be on the front foot to achieve the best advantage for our local community," he said.

The council will focus on seven key areas including passengers and tenants to improve business.