Passengers have thrown their support behind a new commercial air service for Cobar in its first week, auguring well for its future and stimulating the town's economy.
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FlyPelican started operating direct flights between Cobar and Sydney, and Cobar and Dubbo on September 24.
It came after the NSW government and the Far North West Joint Organisation (FNWJO) struck a deal that returns regular commercial flights to the outer reaches of the state.
Services linking Bourke, Walgett and Lightning Ridge with Dubbo are also set to start on November 4, operated by Dubbo-based Air Link.
The government stumped up $8 million over four years to ensure the new routes' sustainability.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who was on board the FlyPelican flight when it landed in Cobar on Tuesday, reported early demand for the flights had taken off.
"We were on a flight with about 16 passengers and I've been told they're averaging about 15 passengers for what is a 19-seater flight," Mr Barilaro said.
"So I think that's been a great success story already, so early in the piece that the flights are getting close to booked out. And on the return flight tomorrow it will be completely booked out.
"So that's great news, it means this route is one supported locally, supported by business travellers and tourists."
FlyPelican is operating the Cobar-Sydney route on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and the Cobar-Dubbo route on Monday and Thursday.
Mr Barilaro said the return of regular passenger flights to the mining town had flow-on effects for the economy.
"For the Cobar community and this local business community, even with the local car rental, something like eight cars rented today," Mr Barilaro said.
"The locals taxis are really doing some extra runs back and forth from the airport, so this has had a great, a huge impact on the local economy."
Bourke and Walgett had been without regular passenger flights for 12 years. The Nationals leader said there had been a lot of groundwork done to to ensure the new western services were sustainable and he also thanked the FNWJO councils.
Mr Barilaro said he was confident during the next four years the flights would build up to have high demand, but he did not rule out further government investment beyond that period if it was needed.
"It is important these communities have access to air services, and it allows an area like this to open up to tourism and of course getting their workforce in and out," he said.
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Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
