Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields says he is encouraged by recent talks with Virgin Australia airlines and is confident they will begin services to the Dubbo Regional Airport in the future.
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Cr Shields confirmed he had met with Virgin airlines officials in Brisbane recently.
Virgin Australia would not comment on what was discussed with the mayor but did say it had made no firm commitment to servicing Dubbo yet.
The airline has been courted by previous Dubbo Council administrations with no success.
"I am in discussions with Virgin about servicing Dubbo because competition is healthy at the airport," Cr Shields said.
"I am very keen to have more business and industry out at the airport as it is Australia's best regional airport and the way for it to grow is by continuing to talk to stakeholders who want to be a part of this business adventure.
"There is a need for more competition at the Dubbo regional airport, and I note that Virgin is already servicing Tamworth, Albury and Mildura airports and I would welcome them establishing in Dubbo."
Virgin Australia airlines said it continually reviews market conditions but has no plan to service Dubbo yet.
"Virgin Australia does not currently have plans to commence services to Dubbo," a spokesperson said.
"However, Virgin Australia will continue to review its network on a regular basis in line with market conditions and customer demand."
Cr Shields said Dubbo airport services enough passengers to warrant Virgin airlines seriously considering it as an option.
"We are now up to 220,000 passengers a year. In 2004 we only had 90,000 a year, so the growth of our airport is phenomenal, and it is because of investments that have had a long term view of the airport's growth.
"With figures like that, and they are growing, I am confident that one day soon Virgin Australia will see the value in Dubbo. When you look down the road at Orange who only has 60,000 passengers a year, we must be doing something right.
Cr Shields said he was not pleased about Regional Express Airlines cancelling its scheduled December meeting as he envisioned both Rex and Virgin operating at the airport.
"I am always open to negotiate with Rex about everything except downgrading security at the airport." he said."
"People expect secure airports, and ours is required by law to have the security we have in place because we have larger aeroplanes."
We continue to review our network
- Virgin Australia
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
