Tamworth Regional Airport: council recognises blueprint to revive airport business after impacts of COVID-19

A consultant from Avista Aviation was brought in to provide the council with seven key focus areas; after the aviation industry was dealt a blow by COVID-19 travel restrictions.

On Tuesday night, councillors recognised the new focus, which starts with attracting another competitive carrier to fly to Sydney and positioning the airport as the state's aviation training and maintenance hub.

Cr Russell Webb said he doesn't think the community realises how important the airport is.

"I would encourage community members to pay attention to what's happening out there and if there's anyone who can help us at the airport with ideas to generate more income in the future I'd love to hear that," he said.

"This council for many years has walked away from any thought of selling the airport because it's such a vital piece of infrastructure."

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The decision to look into options at the airport 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.

The vote to acknowledge the blueprint doesn't put the plan in place, but has started a conversation about the future of one of the council's bigger businesses.

Cr Juanita Wilson said the council wouldn't have believed it would be in this position a year ago.

"It's a lesson on how quickly life changes, how the economical and social environment changes," she said.

"It's affected us in so many ways, so unpredictably, despite such good planning, strategy and working habits."