BIGGER planes and extra flights to more destinations are set to become a reality at Dubbo Regional Airport after the state government allocated $7.4 million for major infrastructure improvements.
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Work including runway strengthening and upgrading of lighting was announced by Member for Dubbo and Deputy Premier Troy Grant.
He described the airport as a critical hub supporting the travelling public, mining and construction, small business, health care and tourism.
"Dubbo has shown marvellous aptitude in drawing additional aviation providers and now has direct flights to the nation's three largest cities - Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane," Mr Grant said.
"This $7,460,421 investment will allow Dubbo City Council to ensure the airport can open more doors for business, industry, health and education providers."
Mr Grant said Dubbo airport could expect additional expansion with another funding application "due to be resolved" by early to mid-2016.
Mayor Mathew Dickerson welcomed Monday's cheque handover and described it as the biggest government grant ever received by Dubbo council.
"Once the runway is strengthened we will have the flexibility to talk to more aviation providers who have the flexibility to fly larger aircraft," he said.
"The plan is to increase the frequency of existing flights and look at demand for Canberra and destinations even further afield.
"At the moment Dubbo airport is in a great position with five ports and 166 flights a week heading in and out of the city. Last year we flew 188,907 people.
"The numbers are fantastic and represent growth of 1.4%. Across the board, regional airports decreased in their numbers so Dubbo is tracking very well."
Councillor Dickerson said council would be looking to expand ports, carriers and aircraft.
He said discussions had already been held with Virgin Australia.
Mr Grant said the Dubbo airport funding built on the commitment made by the Nationals during the March state election "to support regional airports and critical regional infrastructure".
He said the Dubbo project was among 17 successful projects to receive funding from the government's Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
Councillor Dickerson said air services had been important to Dubbo since the 1930s when planes landed on the southern side of Cobra Street, not far from the present day central business district.
"The dirt road was considered to be long enough and formed well enough to cope with planes," he said.
"Sir Charles Kingsford Smith landed in Dubbo and did some demonstrations. Air Services Australia operated here from about 1934. The first flights bounced back and forth between Dubbo, Narromine, Bourke and Charleville.
"The Commonwealth government gave the present day airport to council about 1970."
