A proposal that Narrabri Shire Council be part owner of an airline as a way of re-introducing a passenger service to Narrabri was declined at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Council discussed a proposal, in closed session, ‘that council directly provide an air service through purchasing equity in an airline and commercially hiring aircraft.’ Details of the discussion were not available, but council’s Director of Corporate Services, Mr Paul Wearne said a resolution in open council confirmed the offer was not accepted.
Meanwhile, Narrabri Chamber of Commerce has written to Virgin airlines inviting the company to provide a Narrabri service.
Council discussed a proposal, in closed session, ‘that council directly provide an air service through purchasing equity in an airline and commercially hiring aircraft.’ Details of the discussion were not available, but council’s Director of Corporate Services, Mr Paul Wearne said a resolution in open council confirmed the offer was not accepted.
Meanwhile, Narrabri Chamber of Commerce has written to Virgin airlines inviting the company to provide a Narrabri service.
The proposal to the council came from the previous owner of Aeropelican, Mr Stephen Ferris, who told The Courier that he still owned several 19 seat Jetstream aircraft, the same models which successfully flew the original Aeropelican service.
Mr Ferris had sold his interest in Aeropelican when it was merged with Brindabella Airlines.
Until the merger, the smaller Aeropelican operation was
successfully providing the Narrabri Sydney service.
“The 19 seat Jetstream is ideal for this route” Mr Ferris, who now owns Pelican Airlines, told The Courier.
He said a service could be re-introduced but it had to be viable and that meant guarantees or underwriting by the community.
The underwriting could be sourced from council or commercial interests such as the mines.
Mr Ferris said Mudgee was ‘in the same boat’ as Narrabri.’
However, time was finite in terms of the utilisation of the Pelican Airlines aircraft, and other offers for the ‘planes were being considered.
Meanwhile, Narrabri Chamber of Commerce president, Mr Russell Stewart, has written to Virgin Airlines’ CEO, Mr John Borghetti, inviting Virgin to fly the Narrabri service. (See letter page 6.)
The chamber emphasised the strong growth prospects for the shire.
Mr Stewart said there had been no response from NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian to a chamber letter seeking the Minister’s support.
“There was an acknowledgement that the letter had been received, via an automatic response, but that was three weeks ago and we have heard nothing since” Mr Stewart said.
The chamber has again written to the Minister urgently seeking her assistance.
Mr Ferris had sold his interest in Aeropelican when it was merged with Brindabella Airlines.
Until the merger, the smaller Aeropelican operation was
successfully providing the Narrabri Sydney service.
“The 19 seat Jetstream is ideal for this route” Mr Ferris, who now owns Pelican Airlines, told The Courier.
He said a service could be re-introduced but it had to be viable and that meant guarantees or underwriting by the community.
The underwriting could be sourced from council or commercial interests such as the mines.
Mr Ferris said Mudgee was ‘in the same boat’ as Narrabri.’
However, time was finite in terms of the utilisation of the Pelican Airlines aircraft, and other offers for the ‘planes were being considered.
Meanwhile, Narrabri Chamber of Commerce president, Mr Russell Stewart, has written to Virgin Airlines’ CEO, Mr John Borghetti, inviting Virgin to fly the Narrabri service. (See letter page 6.)
The chamber emphasised the strong growth prospects for the shire.
Mr Stewart said there had been no response from NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian to a chamber letter seeking the Minister’s support.
“There was an acknowledgement that the letter had been received, via an automatic response, but that was three weeks ago and we have heard nothing since” Mr Stewart said.
The chamber has again written to the Minister urgently seeking her assistance.