Sydney to Hunter Valley flights to support region’s tourism and conference sectors
A new seaplane service is to be launched to connect Sydney with the Hunter Valley and Newcastle.
The service will fly from Rose Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs to Cessnock Airport and Newcastle Harbour,
Blue Sky Airlines is being launched by Dr Jerry Schwartz, Australia’s largest private hotel investor, who has invested over $100 million into three hotels in the Hunter, with another hotel proposed for development.
The new airline service would be operated by a six-seat Lake Sea Fury LA250 aircraft that is relocating from Hamilton Island to start the Sydney – Hunter services later in the year.
It is proposed that regular charter flights would commence in October, and they will run twice daily from Friday to Monday, costing $250 per leg. Additional flights could be added according to demand to service conventions at the new Hunter Valley Conference & Events Centre or major concerts, which are held regularly in the Hunter Valley.
The flights will land at Cessnock Airport, next door to Dr Schwartz’s Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley (and the Hunter Valley Conference & Events Centre) and Newcastle Harbour, to service Dr Schwartz’s Crowne Plaza Newcastle and Novotel Newcastle.
“There is potentially great demand from time poor travellers who want to spend a day or two in the Hunter without having to drive 2½ hours between Sydney and the Hunter Valley,” said Dr Schwartz.
“They could be a guest speaker at the Hunter Valley Conference Centre, a small incentive group wanting to combine wine with golf, or flying entertainers to perform at a Hunter Valley concert.
“It will help establish the Hunter Valley as a ‘premium’ tourist destination, ideal for weddings, honeymoons and high-level incentive groups.
“At the moment, the Hunter Valley is missing out because it doesn’t have the services to meet the demands of discerning travellers.
“The Hunter Valley may be one of Australia’s oldest and most famous wine regions, but in recent years it has been left behind as a tourist destination, and direct flights are one way to elevate its profile and status.
“The flights will not only offer convenient access to the Hunter Valley, they will provide a memorable scenic flight along the way.”
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