TIME IS RIPE FOR EXPORTERS
FROM Toowoomba to Singapore, a shipment of avocados flown out on Friday night are already sitting on shop shelves this morning.
Alongside them was a first for Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport – 1824kg of broccoli from Inglewood company Qualipac.
Friday was the final flight in the first set of six Singapore Airline flights funded under the Federal Government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism, which began in June.
Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport general manager for cargo Robert Kasch said the airport was in discussions over the next set of six Singapore Airlines flights – and it looked promising.
But he, along with airport owners the Wagner family, fruit marketer The Avolution, and Ravensbourne grower Daryl Boardman from Sunnyspot Packhouse, are encouraging more producers to get on board.
The Federal Government has a difficult balancing act between supporting exporters and prudent use of taxpayers money, and if IFAM-subsidised freight routes are not being used efficiently, they will be cut.
Mr Boardman said from day one of Wellcamp Airport’s operation, his business had been thinking about how they could use the service.
“To see flights from here direct to Singapore is exciting,” he said.
“We’d love to see that become a long-term shipping hub, because then we can set our business up to supply it regularly.
“We’re trying to support it now to get the interest to keep it going but if its going to stop again then we’ve got to go back to other ports … which will be a shame.”
Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport’s John Wagner said freight volumes were increasing every week, and there were negotiations with Singapore Airlines under way to change the flight to a Wednesday to better service Singapore customers.
“It’s very promising,” said.
“We believe it’ll only improve with time.”
Mr Kasch said Friday’s aircraft was at 70% capacity, “but we need to get higher than that”.
“If you have freight going to Singapore, please call us,” he said.
“We bend over backwards to make sure it’s a seamless process.” he