It was touch down at the runway yesterday as Council hosted the arrival of QANTAS flight QF2182 at 1.36pm, when VH-LQB, a Q400 passenger aircraft, performed the inaugural landing at Moree Regional Airport.
The Q400 arrival was greeted by a water-cannon salute by the Gurley and Pallamallawa Rural Fire Services and with the RAAF 339 Air Cadets Squadron onsite to witness the event.
On ground to welcome the Qantas representatives, Josh Hogan and Luke McCabe and Q400 crew were representatives from Council including General Manager Kelvin Tytherleigh, Cr Greg Smith, Director of Infrastructure John Dyer and Senior Aerodrome Reporting Officer Kingsley Counsell, along with Chair of Tourism Moree, Vivien Clyne.
“It’s wonderful news for our Shire, and our neighbouring Shires to have this on-going service for the community,” Moree Mayor Mark Johnston said.
“It is a true asset to our region and the improvements to Moree Regional Airport complement Moree’s Special Activation Precinct and Inland Rail projects, creating further freight and logistics opportunities in our Shire.”
The QantasLink’s Dash 8 Q400 will add to the current Dash 8 Q200 and Q300 aircraft that have serviced the community for many years, accommodating approximately twice the number of passengers as the Q200 (a Q400 can seat up to 76 passengers).
“We’re changing our mix of aircraft on some regional routes to strengthen our operational reliability and better meet local demand,” a Qantas spokesperson said.
“The Q400 aircraft will add more than 316 seats per week to the Moree route where demand has increased over the past year.”
The introduction of the Q400 has demonstrated the support from Qantas on the Sydney to Moree route and to the Shire. Moree Plains Shire Council’s investment in Moree Regional Airport has been a critical factor in enabling these new Q400 flights to commence.
Stage 1 of the Airport parking apron expansion works was completed in early June, with Stage 2 commencing next week, and scheduled to be completed in by the end of August. The Q400 will initially be operated on evening flights and subsequently will be introduced on morning flights once the Moree Regional Airport Stage 2 apron improvement works are completed.
The upgrades to the apron at the Moree Regional Airport are required to ensure the airport has the capability to safely accommodate two Q400 aircraft at any one time.
“It’s wonderful to see Council’s investment in Moree airport,” said Chair of Moree Tourism, Vivien Clyne.
“This kind of investment in our airport and daily flight routes cements the confidence of local tourism operators, and Moree Tourism works with businesses on the ground to develop new products and services for visitors.”
“The enhanced passenger capacity and performance provided by the Q400 means more visitors can easily discover the rich heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant culture that Moree offers.”
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