Walgett and Bourke to get flights back

The NSW Government has announced it will underwrite seats on the proposed services to help them remain viable during the start-up phase.

Earlier this year, the NSW Government called for expressions of interest from air operators after a study it commissioned showed demand for commercial air services to fly into some remote western communities.

Now, four shortlisted air operators have been invited to submit proposals to provide air services between Dubbo and Bourke and Walgett.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the successful tender was expected to operate a twice-daily service three times a week.

He said the government's current and future travel demands would provide a seat guarantee and support the services over the next four years.

Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro said the resumption of regular air services would provide businesses and residents with the ability to travel around what was a large and diverse state.

"Our investment into regional airports is part of a long-term plan to improve services for residents, which is designed to have the greatest capacity to increase visitor numbers to regional NSW," he said.

"Creating greater access between these towns will improve the connectivity for businesses, create more jobs and provide Western NSW with the air services for access to important services such as health, education, business and recreation."

Barwon MP Kevin Humphries said it was another positive step towards the return of a commercially-viable airline service that remote communities in the state's far west could rely on.

The successful tender was expected to be awarded in the middle of next year.