AirAsia into Townsville
Townsville could resume as an international airport with the federal government expected to underwrite the cost of setting up customs and immigration services.
Herbert MP Ewen Jones has been lobbying his colleagues in Canberra to cover the cost of providing the services and a breakthrough is expected in the coming weeks.
Townsville Airport has been in discussions with AirAsia and Jetstar to commence direct flights but the high cost of providing customs, quarantine and border protection services has been a sticking point. While a charge of $55 per passenger is levied at other airports with regular international services, it is understood the Department of Immigration and Border Protection had called for $90 per passenger to be levied at Townsville to account for the increased costs of flying staff to the city.
Herbert MP Ewen Jones said he had been in regular contact with the prime minister’s office, as well as transport minister warren truss and new immigration minister Peter Dutton.
Townsville Airport chief executive Kevin Gill said he was continuing constructive negotiations with a number of airlines and the federal government. “It is evident from the level of interest that demand exists for international services and it is imperative that a solution acceptable to all parties is reached as soon as possible,” he said.
It is understood AirAisa is interested in commencing direct flights between Townsville and Denpasar three times a week.
