Given that both Coffs Harbour and Ballina airports only attract either Qantaslink, Jetstar and/or Virgin with flights to one destination – SYDNEY, why does Council think there is a need to spend more money on PQQ airport with runway extensions to “attract” B737 and A320. In view of the fact that Virgin is planning to cease operation of the E170 and switch to the much more fuel efficient turbo-prop aircraft – possibly the Q400 (see http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/09/03/jet-sell-off-could-ground-mackay-sydney-flights/) – is this just another example of Council waste? Are you aware of these proposed changes? Are you delusory that Port will attract the larger aircraft for direct flights to Melbourne, Canberra or Adelaide when the much larger Newcastle airport (with a greater potential target market) has flights to only the Gold Coast and Melbourne?
Kevin Piddick,
Port Macquarie.
