Qantas could just fly away Airline rejects airport upgrade fees

QANTAS has warned that its Townsville services could be pulled if changes aren’t made to proposed airport upgrades.

Negotiations between Qantas and the airport over a proposed $ 3 increase to passenger charges to fund a $ 40 million redevelopment have been stalled for almost two years.

Qantas is now suggesting the redevelopment could make its Townsville services “unsustainable”. It comes after the airline revealed Townsville Airport had knocked back a counter offer relating to passenger charges.

A Qantas spokeswoman said the airline was hoping to “get back around the table soon” with Townsville Airport to continue discussions over what infrastructure upgrades were required.

“We’ve shown we’ll support some improvements, and have consistently said we need to get the balance right between cost and practicality so the upgrades don’t go beyond what’s required in the short term, or have the unintended consequence of making our Townsville services unsustainable,” the spokeswoman said.

Townsville Airport chief operating officer Kevin Gill said discussions with airlines were commercial in confidence.

“We can confirm that we are not asking Qantas or any other airline partner to pay anything more than their fair share,” he said. “Townsville Airport have reached an agreement with Virgin Australia.”

Pressure is mounting from public figures to end the negotiation standoff.

North Queensland Cowboys chief executive officer Greg Tonner said the club was supportive of the redevelopment because it could help attract more flights to the city.

“Being able to attract business- hour flights to Sydney and Melbourne is essential for the Cowboys and essential for the business community,” he said. “We do more flying than any other NRL team.

“Having an airport that is of equal quality to other airports is essential for Townsville.”

At a meeting of the Townsville Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group earlier this year, Mr Tonner said he would support a community delegation to Qantas.

Radio personality Steve Price said the current terminal was unattractive and desperately needed improvement.

“Have a look at the quality of the entrance to Australia’s greatest tropical city and you’d be embarrassed,” he said. “This city will grow and we’ve got to look at the next 20 years.”

Mr Price said even while negotiations were continuing, the airport could investigate how to make the terminal more inviting with local art.