THE reinstatement of flights between Cobar and Dubbo was "splendid news" for the Orana region and would no doubt have a positive flow-on effect for Dubbo, according to Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana chairman John Walkom.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Regional Express (Rex) subsidiary Air Link announced this week it would offer four return flights a week between Cobar and Dubbo, with connections to Sydney, from August 31.
The town had been without a regular service since December 2013 when Brindabella Airlines went into receivership.
"It's more difficult to develop economic growth if you don't have connectivity," Mr Walkom said.
"Cobar has a vibrant economy, but the reintroduction of these air services will make it easier to do business."
But the benefits of the new service were expected to be shared by Dubbo and other centres in the Orana region, Mr Walkom said, that were not limited to passengers in surrounding towns driving to Cobar airport to catch flights.
"It really reinforces Dubbo's position as a major regional airport," Mr Walkom said.
"This announcement, following on from the introduction of the JETGO service from Dubbo to Brisbane strengthens the case for the introduction of even further services in and out of Dubbo.
"I'm hopeful in the not-too-distant future we'll see the introduction of flights from Dubbo to other metropolitan centres including Canberra and Melbourne."
Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson agreed increased activity at Dubbo airport augured well for the introduction of further services in and out of Dubbo.
"Without a doubt, if I was in the airline business, flying to a port with more airlines flying there would make more sense to me," he said.