Narrabri Shire Council will meet executives from JETGO this month to discuss the operator’s provision of a Narrabri to Sydney jet service.
In response to interest from other companies, the council will ask the Department of Transport to call for Expressions of Interest in launching an air service.
Yesterday, Virgin conceded that it would be unable to service the route despite its interest.
“The 68 seat Virgin aircraft available does not fit the required business model,” said the mayor Cr Conrad Bolton. However, the 36 seat JETGO passenger jet which visited Narrabri last week would be a ‘perfect fit’ for the route.
Cr Bolton said Virgin’s primary reason for not proceeding with the Narrabri air service was the type of aircraft the company had available, and the anticipated upload of passengers.
These elements ‘‘did not make the grade by a considerable amount".
“Virgin gave it a fair shake and put a lot of work in but in the end it wasn’t going to work for them,” Cr Bolton said.
“However the exciting aspect is that we have other carriers, and one in particular, JETGO, who want to engage with us.
“Myself, the deputy mayor Cr Cathy Redding and the general manager Diane Hood will be meeting JETGO executives on November 28.
“JETGO are very keen to start a regular service for us,” Cr Bolton added.
“But we need to go through the expression of interest process.
“From that we may have a choice.
“We have done all the research and have the data together, so we don’t have to gather information again, it is ready for presentation.”
The prospects of a jet service are ‘pretty exciting’, acknowledged the mayor.
“But we can’t presuppose any particular carrier will win the Narrabri service. Once we see what emerges from the expressions of interest, what is proposed at the November 28 meeting, and then council meets to discuss what the shire council can do, we will bring the proposal to council for its consideration.
“But I wouldn’t expect an air service to start in any case before February because of the many legislative requirements.”
Cr Bolton said the Virgin possibilities had been just one part of the journey towards a Narrabri air service.
“One door shuts and a couple more may open,” he said.
“And as we grow, we will be moving on to greater things” he said in terms of what a carrier could ultimately provide.
Meanwhile, the JETGO aircraft is a 36 seater - plus one seat for a flight attendant.
“That is the just size of aircraft we are looking for,” said Cr Bolton.