Idea not getting off the ground

THE idea that Cairns Regional Council should buy Cairns Airport is truly blue-sky thinking, and not a proposal to be easily dismissed.

Former mayor Kevin Byrne reckons the time is right to take the airport back from private ownership. He believes such a move would be good for the airport and deliver a boost to wider business confidence in the Far North.

Current Mayor Bob Manning is no stranger to the issue as a former chief executive of Cairns Port Authority, which used to own the airport.

He does not rate the region’s chances of the State Government, which sold the airport into private hands in 2008, being in any mood to grant Cairns Regional Council permission to purchase the asset.

And he’s right to point out that, despite a few grumbles, Cairns Airport is in good hands with current owners North Queensland Airports.

This has been a difficult period for visitor numbers to Cairns, with Cathay Pacific ceasing flights in October and domestic carriers reducing the number of seats on routes into the city.

But there is no guarantee that a change in ownership could mean a change in luck. Airlines, businesses and tourists make decisions based on a number of factors including cost, availability and the attractiveness of the destination.

Some economic headwinds faced by global carriers can’t be overcome by any airport owner, or even by a government willing to hand out incentives to fly here.

If a council-owned airport really could do better, this idea is a flight of fancy worth considering. Otherwise, the council’s best focus is to ensure safe streets, a vibrant destination and to be a cheerleader for tourism.