First flight out of Bourke

The world came a little closer to Bourke this week with the first passenger air service in more than a decade arriving on Monday morning.

The flight marked the official beginning of a new chapter in aviation services for the region.

The Air Link flight from Dubbo touched down at 9.50am, with Police Minister David Elliott among the first passengers. The plane was joined by a second Air Link aircraft – a demonstration by the airline that it was here in force with three aircraft servicing the flights from Lightning Ridge, Walgett and Bourke to Dubbo.

Minister for the Western Region Adam Marshall said the start of regular flights in and out of Bourke was the culmination of “a hell of a lot of work by the state government, the member councils in the Far West Joint Organisation and Air Link”.

“This is a huge day for Bourke, with services returning after 12 years and I want to congratulate Bourke and each and every one of the people involved making this happen,” Minister Marshall said.

“I am sure it will be a success just as the air service to Cobar has been and it is great to see a regional business based in Dubbo now employing more pilots to fly these routes.

“It’s about putting bums on seats and I would encourage everyone to make the most of the incredibly affordable community fares which will enable you to fly to Dubbo return for less than $400.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.

Celebrating the first flight out of Bourke on Monday – Bourke Mayor Barry Hollman, Air Link Chief Pilot Mark Wardrop, Minister for Western New South Wales Adam Marshall, Chief Executive of the Far North West Joint Organisation of Councils Greg Lamont, Air Link Pilot Rhys McClintock and NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet Photo TWH