’Target larger aircraft’
LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch says Cairns Airport needs to target wide-bodied aircraft if it wants to continue to support the economic growth of the Far North.
The airport has dropped plans for its $1 billion redevelopment, in favour of refocusing on its core business of growing airline capacity to ensure the business facilitates economic growth in the region.
The decision has been widely applauded by community and business leaders and the local aeronautic industry.
Mr Entsch said the move made sense, and he would support the airport if it wanted to revisit its transformation plan.
The Coalition MP confirmed that the airport had not applied for a loan through his government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
He said in order for the airport to grow, it would need to attract larger aircraft.
“First of all, we need to get the wide-bodied aircraft in here because we’ve got massive opportunities with horticulture, agriculture, fresh products, seafoods and dairy,” he said.
“I’m confident we will fill the belly of those aircraft up.
“That would trigger an irradiation facility here.”
An irradiation plant in Far North Queensland has been proposed to treat locally produced tropical fruits so they meet the import requirements of key markets like America, Europe and Asia, creating new export opportunities that would inject millions of dollars into the local economy.
Mr Entsch said he would also like to see the airport target airlines such as Emirates.
The Dubai-based carrier has expressed interest in establishing new routes to secondary airports such as Cairns or Darwin.
“That would open up the world to us,” he said.
Skytrans CEO Michael Thinee said the shelving of the airport’s redevelopment plans was a “fantastic result”, for general aviation and regional aviation operators.
“I think the costs and inconveniences involved in having to relocate it would have outweighed any benefits from our perspective,” he said. Start Date 12/03/17 at 05:00 AEST. Close date: 26/04/17 at 11:00 AEST. Entries close daily at 10:00 AEST from 12/03/2017 - 01/04/2017 and then 11:00 AEST from 02/04/2017 onward. Draw Dates: daily at 10:05 AEST from 12/03/2017 - 01/04/2017 and then 11:05 AEST from 02/04/2017 onward. Total Prize Value $225,000. Entry is open to residents of Australia 18 years or older except residents of WA. ACT: TP 17/00114, NSW: LTPS/17/11118, SA: T17/112. Entry confirms acceptance of Terms and Conditions available from cairnspost.com.au/cashcrab Saturday’s code word is valid for Sunday entry.