Narrabri Shire is without an air service leading into the Christmas travel period, after the collapse of Brindabella Airlines.
The company has appointed KordaMentha as receivers, and follows the grounding of the airline’s aircraft by the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority.
David Winterbottom from KordaMentha says Brindabella will no longer be accepting bookings and all flights have been suspended.
The receivers have called for expressions of interest in the sale of the business.
Narrabri Shire Council is in talks with the NSW transport department about short term and long term solutions.
Transport for NSW has announced shuttle buses will run between Narrabri, Moree and Tamworth to connect customers with QantasLink services at Tamworth Airport.
The mayor of Narrabri Shire, Cr Conrad Bolton, says the region needs a reliable air service, and council will work to “mitigate the disadvantage this has created for our travelling public”.
While in the short term residents will need to make alternative arrangements instead of flying out of Narrabri, Cr Bolton says council is speaking with other airlines for more long term solutions.
“We are currently talking to the major airline brands such as Virgin and Qantas in regard to the business opportunity that is available from the Narrabri region,” Cr Bolton said.
“Considering the huge potential for the travelling workforce requirements into the future, it would be a missed opportunity if there wasn’t some focus on us by some of the major brands.
“From an economic, family and health perspective, a regular and reliable air service into any rural community is absolutely essential and council will be working as a priority to secure a service back into the area.
The collapse of Brindabella Airlines means the council may not be able to recoup all of the money owing to it by the company.
“Like all airports we have an active account with Brindabella and we will be advised by the administrator as to the process going forward in regard to outstanding accounts,” Cr Bolton said. In the mean time, the council is working with the state transport department to ensure residents have a range of options to travel to Sydney.
“People need to weigh up what their alternatives are, such as Transport for NSW setting up a coach service between Moree, Narrabri and Tamworth,” said
Cr Bolton.