Reference letter ‘Council’s gamble with ratepayers’ dollars’ MNW February 15.
Okay. You've got me Rex (Koerbin). I'll have another go. If the statement that "larger aircraft means cheaper fares" is a myth then answer me this. Why, relatively speaking, are airfares around the world and domestically cheaper than ever? Why is air travel now within reach of people who once upon a time could never afford air travel? Why did Boeing and Airbus invest billions coming up with wide body aircraft such as the 747 and the A380?
Would it be that they saw that if they had larger aircraft, the operators costs would be less and therefore they could attract more travellers to fill their seats by passing on those savings and therefore increase their revenue?
Why, 20 years ago was it dearer to fly from Sydney to Coffs Harbour than it is now? Is it because they now have competition and run the Dash 8 - 400 (Qantas Link) and the Embraer and the 737 Virgin Blue? Get them at the right time you can travel for about $110 return! Competition and larger aircraft mean cheaper fares a myth? Methinks not.
And again they go on with the "we don't have sufficient passengers to fill the SAAB services". Is that because Regional Express (Rex) will charge as much as $800 per person return to Melbourne or Sydney?
Right now, at the time of writing this, there are three or fewer seats left tomorrow for Merimbula Melbourne at $200.75 one way. But they have other seats it seems, and more than three of each, at $375.75 and $410.85 one way! There are no return seats available at any price.
So where does everyone get these "only half full" figures from?
It's all smoke and mirrors and everyone knows it.
Airport users don't want improvements if they think the charges will go up to them as a result and other people might get interested in the place.
Again I say, good on you Bega Valley Shire Council. You need to have infrastructure and improvements before growth occurs, not after and it's also how to facilitate growth, it doesn't work the other way around. Places prosper when the transport servicing their area is easy to use at a reasonable price, well managed and well maintained.
One other thing - you state that "there isn't one airline putting up its hand to offer larger aircraft let alone two." Make some calls. No one’s saying they wouldn't either. And also, and you may be able to clear this up for me once and for all, does not Rex have or did have until very recently some sort of exclusivity deal for Merimbula Airport?
I'll buy out of this now but anyone who wants the truth, get on the internet and do some searching for yourselves, the truth comes up soon enough on sites that don't have a barrow to push for their own interest one way or another.
People told Charles Kingsford Smith that there was no future in aviation.
Sydney Airport was a paddock once!
Peter Bamford
Bald Hills
Email a friend