Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport bouncing back

The impact of the SARS scare and the collapse of Ansett was not only felt at the major airports in capital cities. At Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport, passenger numbers dropped from 120,000 in 2001 to 70,000 people last year. With this threatening the sustainability of the airport, urgent action needed to be taken.

Working with Regional Express Airlines (REX), Council began promoting cheap airfares to stimulate demand and to halt the decline.

The strategy has worked with passenger numbers now levelling out.

Ballina Shire first established the airport in 1980s. As part of a visionary plan to promote the area for tourism and economic development, a new modern terminal was opened in 1995. Viewed as one of the best regional airports in Australia, it is not surprising the Virgin Blue has recently announced that this will be its 21st port.

Its 140 seater jets will commence daily flights in August.

Together with services provided by REX and Qantas Link, the future for the Airport looks extremely good. Providing both passenger and freight services, and located close to the Southern Cross Industrial Estate, a number of aviation related businesses, such as flying schools and maintenance contractors, have already established in the Shire. Plans are in place to continue to attract such enterprises.

Recently, the airport has purchased land for a secure car park to further improve amenities at the airport.

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