The JetGo passenger service at the Illawarra Regional Airport is still a few months from getting off the ground, but the regional airline’s boss is already considering extra destinations.
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As news broke that the company would sign an agreement to run flights to Brisbane and Melbourne starting later this year, managing director Paul Brodereck said the Gold Coast could also be on the cards.
“We are looking at other routes, we think there’s good opportunity for the Gold Coast once the first few routes have proven themselves,” he said.
Mr Brodereck said the airline had asked the council for an exclusivity period of three years on any route it establishes from Albion Park.
“If someone want to fly to somewhere we’re not flying, that’s fine. But we’re not prepared to risk getting it to break-even in 12 months, and then having a competitor come in.”
He said the airline would expect to invest somewhere around $1 million to set up a new route, excluding costs for new aircraft .
While they welcomed the news of the new carrier, the big question for most Mercury readers on Wednesday was “how much will it cost?”
With flights starting at $155, JetGo says its prices will be comparable with other airlines.
“As the plane fills up the seats get more expensive,” Mr Brodereck said. “They will typically be between $155 for advance purchase to $355 if you leave it the last minute. More than half the seats on every flight will be available for under $200.”
He said this included 23kg of checked luggage.
How much?
Transfers and parking
Catching the train to the Sydney domestic terminal costs $24 each way per adult ($48 for a trip).
A car transfer costs about $65 per adult or $360 for an 11-seater bus.
For Sydney’s “budget option” parking – a bus ride to the domestic terminal – we found spots for about $60 a day, or $109/week.
At Albion Park, parking will be $10 per day for secured parking to the north of the temporary terminal, and $12 per day for secured parking in the car park adjacent to the temporary terminal.
Cost to fly
Using online flight aggregators, the Mercury found Melbourne flights in the next week with Tigerair for $69.
The lowest priced fare to Brisbane was $89, with Jetstar.
These included a carry-on bag, and anything but the seat (i.e. food and drinks) cost extra.
For flights comparable to the service offered by JetGo – baggage, drinks and snacks – the cheapest flight to Melbourne this week the Mercury found was $109. Flights with Qantas and Virgin ranged from about $220 to $450 one way.
The cheapest comparable flight to Brisbane was about $145, with Jetstar. Flights with Qantas and Virgin ranged between $166 and $425.
Verdict
If you nabbed the cheapest Tigerair flight for $69 to Melbourne, and caught the train you’d be up for $93 one way.
This is $62 cheaper than the cheapest Albion Park flight ($155, not including parking) – which might not justify the hour or so extra travelling time to Sydney.
But if you got stuck paying the $355 maximum fare at Albion Park, and could choose from one of the cheapest budget fares out of Sydney instead, the saving of $262 might be worth your while.
Readers happy to pay if costs even out
So are people of the Illawarra prepared to pay?
In response to the news JetGo would introduce flights out of Albion Park to Brisbane and Melbourne, we asked readers on Facebook would they be prepared to pay upwards of $155 a ticket one way.
Here are some of their thoughts _
“I'll pay it! Saves the four-hour round trip to Sydney (just to catch your flight). Take my money!!!! I can't WAIT for Albion Park to start flights.”
_ Samantha.
“Plus saves on the cost of parking at the airport or the train fare. The extra cost is balanced out with the convenience of it being local.”
_ Leonie
“I guess if you factor in the cost that it is to get to Sydney airport say from Dapto for two of us by shuttle which is $320 we would be able to get to Albion Park for nothing so then it becomes viable.”
_ Brian
“Yes it's fine. Comparable or better than flying from regional towns elsewhere.”
_ Marissa
“The time I pay for me and two kids I my as well drive to Sydney and go from there it would be heaps cheaper!”
_ Kiani
“To all those whinging about the cost, pull your bloody heads in. And you don't need to park at the airport. Ever heard of a bus? A cab? Uber?
“I've a daughter moving to Melbourne and I'd happily pay more to fly from home rather than driving an hour and 20 to Sydney and paying for parking.
“Stop complaining and embrace this service.
“The Illawarra needs and deserves it. Welcome to Shellharbour City, JetGo!!!”
_ Georgia.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
