Embattled Illawarra flight operator JetGo has cancelled all flights nationally throughout Friday.
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Staff at the Illawarra Regional Airport received an email last night saying all JetGo flights were cancelled for Friday.
There was no advice about the following days.
Earlier this week, Essendon Fields airport CEO Chris Cowan expressed concern over news of financial troubles within JetGo.
Speaking to the Mercury on Friday morning, Mr Cowan confirmed all JetGo flights in Australia for Friday have been cancelled.
He said the Essendon airport would have staff located in the terminal to advise any passengers who did show up of the cancellations.
He also said anyone stranded at Essendon would be able to catch their free shuttle bus to Melbourne airport.
Mr Cowan was unable to comment on whether any weekend JetGo services would be affected.
Attempting to book flights from the Illawarra Regional Airport to Melbourne or Brisbane via the JetGo website over the next several days only results in an “error” page.
JetGo management and Shellharbour City Council have been approached for comment.
A post on the ‘Wollongong Illawarra Regional Airport’ Facebook page on Thursday night noted that, “The end in sight? Unconfirmed reports suggest that Jetgo may have suspended flights from tomorrow.”
Another post noted that “we are also confident that the pioneering efforts of Jetgo in the Illawarra won't be wasted”.
“They have demonstrated that the region will give full support to a decent airline service,” the post said.
“And we are confident that Wollongong Airport will continue to see an airline committed to this market.
“Only time will tell if it is a strengthened Jetgo, or an equally vibrant airline like FlyCorporate which has recently pioneered the Orange to Melbourne route, or FlyPelican with its new service from Newcastle to Adelaide.”
Shellharbour councillor Kellie Marsh also posted the following: “Illawarra Regional airport isn't going any where. Shellharbour Council is fully committed to the airport operations”.
More to come.