May 12, 2009
Deputy mayor Col Murray officially launched a new week day airline service between Tamworth and Brisbane by Brindaballa Airlines on May 11, 2009.
Councillor Murray was at Tamworth Regional Airport with others to welcome in the first flight from Brisbane on the new route early Monday morning and cheer off the return trip from Tamworth.
Councillor Murray says the new service is a great new two-way bonanza for regional growth and development - terrific for everyone, particularly business and tourism operators.
Brindabella CEO and co-founder Jeff Boyd welcomed the first flight in with the news that seat bookings had passed the 350-sold mark. It operates a Metro 18-seater on the route but says if demand warrants it, they will look at pushing a 28-seater into the service.
Brindabella announced early April 2009 that they would begin two direct services per
day, Monday – Friday. Mr Boyd said that with a flight time of just 70 minutes this would allow passengers a full business day in Brisbane, before returning back to Tamworth on the afternoon service. The company says weekend flights will commence in June, 2009.
“We have had a great response from the Tamworth community, seats went on sale 24th April and we have sold over 200 seats already,” Mr Boyd said before the first flight day.
“An increase in the Brindabella Airlines network is an extremely exciting development in our business strategy. In difficult economic times we see the region holding its own, with business diversity of the agriculture and mining industry, giving us the confidence to commence the route.”
Deputy Mayor Murray said Brindabella’s arrival in Tamworth gave the city and the wider region a valuable new travel link.
“More importantly the company has a flight timetable that is appealing for business travel because it allows for passengers to get to and from Tamworth and Brisbane and have the day to conduct their business,” Mr Murray said.
“That’s tremendously important for potential growth and economic development. It is a solid and practical timetable for business in this region.
Mr Murray said it was a key business benefit to be able to get and from business meetings without having to stay away from home overnight.
He said the service would also offer a valuable new international gateway for this region - a new departure point for regional travellers and a new arrival point for those coming into Brisbane who can then get to Tamworth. It also provided for shorter travel times to get to other places using Brisbane to get onto other Brindabella routes, another point to access cheaper flights when they're available.
The forecast of weekend flights promised big gains to be made in the tourism industry, providing new marketing points to push leisure travel.
Mr Murray said that on a wider regional scale, the service would offer neighbouring towns like Gunnedah, Moree, Narrabri and Armidale easier access to south east Queensland.
Flights depart Tamworth Monday – Friday at 0815 and 1900, and departing Brisbane 0630 and 1715. Saturday and Sunday flights will commence in June 2009. Tickets can be purchased on the web www.brindabellaairlines.com.au or by phoning 1300 66 88 24.
Brindabella Airlines currently offer over 150 flights per week to Albury, Canberra, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Brisbane and shortly Tamworth. Brindabella Airlines is a Qantas affiliate airline and Frequent Flyer partner.