New route open for Dubbo

THE new air link between Dubbo and Newcastle is great news for residents, travellers and the city's economy.

And the expansion of transport and tourism links may not end there. The Dubbo City Council has plans to seek air services to other centres, including Canberra.

The new flights, on Newcastle's FlyPelican airline, will be twice daily Monday to Friday to Dubbo and return. They start on July 18 and ticket prices will start from $99 one way.

They will ease access to the mid-north coast, a popular holiday destination for Dubbo residents, and open the way for more travellers to our city and its tourism venues.

Tourism is a big winner for Dubbo. Every dollar visitors spend here has an added value of another 91 cents as it flows through the local economy.

That is part of the drive by the council to expand Dubbo's air links. It has been chasing and negotiating with airline companies for several years.

The determination has yielded significant success so far. In just under 12 months Dubbo has acquired air links with Brisbane, Melbourne and now Newcastle.

It is interesting that figures from the Brisbane route show about a third of passengers are from Queensland. A good indication for increased tourism and other business opportunities.

But, a key factor to ensure the success will be support for the new flights from the Dubbo community. Use it or lose it.

And the council should keep reaching for the sky.