Air access has North grounded

IT can cost just $ 17 more for Sydney residents to travel to Singapore than Townsville and there are 63 more direct flights to choose from.

Travellers only have a choice of 12 direct flights from Sydney to Townsville. Few, if any, are at suitable commuting times.

There is no doubt that this lack of service is hampering the city.

For those wishing to do business in Townsville from Sydney it’s a slog to do so in a day, and for those wanting to holiday here, when you compare the prices with overseas fares or even flights to Cairns, it’s easy to see why people would prefer to go elsewhere.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan said the organisation commissioned AEC Group to conduct an economic impact assessment into regional airfares ahead of it making a submission to the Senate inquiry into the operation, regulation and funding of air services in regional areas.

She said the cost of flights was affecting the region’s prosperity.

It’s difficult to see that services more compatible with Cairns would improve the local tourism market to that extent. However, from a business perspective, it’s difficult for Townsville to hold its head up high as the Capital of the North, when one of the main ways to access the city is so deficient.

Then, of course, it’s not just Townsville that’s underserviced and overpriced.

Western Queensland travellers are being stung with exorbitant airfares.

A quick bit of desk research indicates it can be cheaper to fly to Japan, Beijing or Vanuatu than Mount Isa or Longreach.

Those regions are missing out on tourism dollars, potential business visitors and, arguably more importantly, the opportunity to catch up and connect with family and friends. Attending a lastminute funeral or a medical emergency can cause significant financial impost or just be impossible for some.

The inquiry needs to bring sensible solutions that allow the regions to thrive.