Fly Corporate sales manager Geoff Woodham said it was a very exciting day. 

“It’s been a lot of hard work for the council, Fly Corporate and also the business leaders group to make sure that this is a viable option for the community and the surrounding towns,” he said. 

“It’s incredibly important that we connect the township of Inverell to the Queensland capital, and it provides a great connection to other ports in Australia.”

“This is great for Inverell,” Neil Eigeland, convenor of the Inverell Air Services Working Group (IASWG) said.

“It is encouraging that Fly Corporate has recognised Inverell’s potential and decided to be part of the growth occurring in the town”, he said.

“It is so hard for a small town to get slots into Sydney or Brisbane.”

“Now, there will be more business travel, better connections to family and friends, increased access to medical services, increased tourism by international visitors, and easy access to Brisbane Airport for travellers and people relocating from the cities to the region.

Fly Corporate CEO Andrew Major said the airline had been in talks with the Inverell Shire Council, Chamber of Commerce and IASWG for almost a year.

“We have been very impressed with the strong business case that the IASWG and the Council have presented to us to establish the service. This representation and support, along with our own research gives us the confidence that there is a need and a market for scheduled flights from Inverell to Brisbane,” he said.

Mr Major said the improved connectivity will make a difference for business and tourism, and “put Brisbane within easy reach” for medical appointments, leisure and domestic and international connecting flights. 

Inverell Shire Council Acting Mayor, Cr Anthony Michael said the Chamber of Commerce Working Party and council recognised that a local air service would lead to a lift in economic activity. 

“The connectivity that an air service provides to Australian and International destinations enhances the opportunities available for residents to conduct recreational and business activities,” he said.

“An air service also enables visitors and others to more easily access Inverell.”

Cr Michael encouraged locals to use the service, and said he looked forward to Fly Corporate “considering adding other destinations to our route when the time is right”.

Fly Corporate and the council are currently planning a joint launch to welcome the new service.

The Air Services Working Group said that visitors would see the vibrancy and the amount of investment in the town, and believe that Inverell is a growing regional centre with sophisticated manufacturing and food processing.

Mr Eigeland noted that the town is also benefiting from $1 billion of wind farm development, $30 million for construction of the new hospital, expansion at Boss Engineering, plans for a new police station, and efficiency improvements at Bindaree Beef.

“The introduction of the air service, accompanied by the wave of construction and the new permanent positions being created, will all add to the steady population growth occurring in Inverell over the last 10 years”, he said.

“With the support of Fly Corporate, council, the Chamber of Commerce and the community, we have managed to achieve the return of an air service to Inverell, an outcome that many thought impossible. Let’s all make good use of it”, he said.

Tickets are on sale from Thursday, July 6 at www.flycorporate.com.au or through travel agents.

Prices start from $139 for one-way all-inclusive web deal fares. The service offers 24/7 online booking, and can also be contacted through reservations@flycorporate.com.au or on 1300 851 269.

The schedule will offer direct weekday morning flights from Brisbane to Inverell with a return service to Brisbane via Moree. The service will operate Monday through Friday.

Fly Corporate currently operates services from Brisbane to Armidale, Biloela (Thangool), Coffs Harbour, Moree, Narrabri, Orange and Tamworth.