More than 12,000 potential passengers are moving between eastern and western Queensland locations a year, offering plenty of new markets to air operators.
New air links between regional Queensland centres and beyond have been the subject of meetings in recent weeks, and Central Queensland Airports and Aerodrome Owners Group chairman Neil Fisher hopes a business case being developed will improve the chances of ideas solidifying into new destinations.
The statistic showing the flow of traffic, currently taking place mainly on the state’s roads, by government departments, education and health service users, and private business needs, came out of investigations by the central Queensland group, which had already achieved improvements in flight scheduling and landing fees for its immediate circle of interest.
“This came out of discussions that we were losing opportunities because we didn’t have services,” Cr Fisher said.
“We thought of packaging tourism but our investigations led us into big things like health, the number of people needing check-ups, and the possible passenger numbers were quite staggering.
“To do anything about it, we need hard data for a business case.”
Cr Fisher said councils and communities at Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, and the Central Highlands had been very supportive of the development of a business case to highlight the economic value of an aerial link between Rockhampton and western Queensland.
"In terms of supply and demand, the numbers of passengers warrant services, and there are a number of airlines that have shown a real interest in providing the flights,” Cr Fisher said.
“We’re not talking jets – 40 seaters could be of value.
“There is a market there and airlines are seeing that it could work in their favour, to transport people who might join the greater airline user market.”
The ultimate goal is a non-regulated route with business packages to offer.
He added that there was “enormous” enthusiasm among tourism operators in the west for the idea.
Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor, Rob Chandler said the concept of an east-west link had been on the table for nearly two decades.
“With the emergence of other reliable carriers in the market, this link could just become a reality.”
The journey between Longreach and Rockhampton is 686km and an air service would mean significant detours to Brisbane would be a thing of the past.
It could also mean school long weekends would be possible without impacting on studies.
In another sphere, the Central Highlands Development Corporation is exploring the potential demand for agribusiness and other services between Emerald and Toowoomba.
Agribusiness development coordinator, Liz Alexander said information was being gathered on potential usage statistics.
Longreach mayor Ed Warren was keen to explore all options that would link overseas tourism with western Queensland, including a direct route between Townsville and Longreach on days that would suit weekend traffic.
“If flights were on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, we could get western people heading east for a weekend of football, while people on the coast could come west to take in our tourism attractions,” he said.
He would like to see the flights as part of a bigger tourism picture between northern Australia and other parts of the country, and said Longreach-Birdsville flights should be on the table as well.
“We need to link overseas tourism with our region, or we miss out on the bonanza,” he said, saying that Cairns, the Gold Coast and Wellcamp could all be linked to Longreach.
At present, REX Airlines operates a service between Townsville, Winton and Longreach on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Cr Warren has called on state and federal tourism bodies to be more proactive in identifying carriers, and facilitating the development of product, and said it was important for Queensland Airports Limited, the operators of the Longreach airport to sit round the table as well.