A NEW push has started to reintroduce an air service between Inverell and Sydney.
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There has been no service since Aeropelican stopped flying to Inverell in early 2009, but now people are invited to participate in a survey to gauge interest in a commercial air service returning here.
The newly-created Inverell Air Service Working Group created the survey to map passenger numbers, frequency, destination and ticket price preferences of people within the Inverell district.
Working group founder Neil Eigland said it was his own frequent travel and the population growth within the shire which caused him to consider a new survey of interest.
“Having an air service would make a huge difference to the whole town, and that’s part of our mantra,” Neil said.
He said he presented a paper to the Inverell Chamber of Commerce and Industry linking passenger numbers to
local government (LGA) income, which found when either LGA incomes increase, or passenger numbers increase, there is inverse response, meaning both numbers rise.
“It’s not just about ‘It would be great to fly to Sydney, it’s a really important thing for Inverell if we can get the service here, and increase the passenger numbers,” Neil said.
“Then, we can increase services, we have doctors coming in, because at the moment they can’t, radiographers want to come here; they can’t spend two or three days, even the telecommunications people.
“They’ve got people in Sydney and possibly Brisbane, who just don't have the time to come to Inverell because it takes so long.”
Inverell mayor Paul Harmon said company Aeropelican was the last airline to service Inverell with a pull-out in about 2009.
They’ve got people in Sydney and possibly Brisbane, who just don't have the time to come to Inverell because it takes so long.
- Neil Eigland
“We just went through a tender process to upgrade the terminal facilities, and the tender was let, construction had started, and then Aeropelican withdrew services within about three weeks of the terminal upgrade starting,” Cr Harmon said.
Council has maintained the runway and all facilities to passenger service standards since the cessation of service, and Cr Harmon said they are ready to resume flights.
Inverell Chamber of Commerce and Industry members John McGregor and Josh McPhee said the chamber supported the survey and posted the link to their Facebook page.
Cr Harmon said it all comes down to the community as to the frequency and volume of predicted useage.
“Everything is there, all ready to go,.” Cr Harmon said.
“All we need is a plane.”
The survey of interest for an Inverell air service is available through the website www.surveymonkey.com/r/InverellAirService.
People may also submit their interest via info@inverellchamber.com.au and phone Neil on 0403 540 610 with questions or should they wish to join the working group.
