News

Forget Sydney Airport, we could soon fly interstate from Albion Park

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Shellharbour Council will hold a meeting tonight to discuss the possible return of domestic commuter flights in and out of the Illawarra.

Councillors will be asked to consider the viability of running the Regional Passenger Transport (RPT) service from Albion Park airport, and whether there's enough demand.

It comes almost a decade after Qantas stopped running regular trips to Melbourne from the Illawarra.

The catchment area of the airport has a population base of around 300,000 people, including the South Coast, Southern Highlands, and Illawarra, making it the largest metropolitan area in Australia without it's own RPT.

"Passenger flights from within the Illawarra could be expected to significantly cut travel time for people south of Sydney wanting to fly to some popular Australian destinations, and reduce road congestion and pressure on the state infrastructure," said Shellharbour Mayor, Marianne Saliba.