It was a smooth take-off and landing for Illawarra Regional Airport’s newest airline provider.
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About 30 passengers went on Fly Corporate’s first flight from Shellharbour to Essendon Fields airport on Monday morning.
The Mercury was invited to take the flight to and from Melbourne.
Cabin crew attendant Leighanne Gibbons had a big smile and cracked jokes, putting passengers at ease before take-off at 6.30am.
Passengers shared champagne to celebrate the inaugural flight, before being given a light breakfast.
The plane touched down at Essendon Fields shortly after 8am.
Passengers were treated to another light breakfast and drinks at the airport before it was back on the return flight which touched down at Shellharbour at about 10.30am.
John and Joanne Whyte, from Barrack Heights, flew on the return flight from Melbourne after spending the weekend in the city to watch a show.
They said they enjoyed the service so much they would choose to travel with Fly Corporate over other airlines.
“We flew down to Melbourne last week with Qantas and we had bad service,” Mr Whyte said.
“We got stuck in a four-hour blackout delay at the airport and our baggage got lost for two days. I wouldn’t choose Qantas again.
“We had a smooth flight, it was easy and it will only takes us five minutes to get home.
“Fly Corporate’s airplane tickets are a bit dearer than flying from Sydney Airport but by the time you pay for petrol and parking it works out to be about the same.
“We also want to support the local people who are employed at the airport.”
Balgownie resident Sue Ashbolt flew on the inaugural flight so she could visit her family in Melbourne.
“I go down to visit them five or six times a year,” she said. “It is convenient to travel to the Illawarra Regional Airport rather than trying to get to Sydney, which can take two hours. The time I save is great.
“The tickets are not too expensive so I think it is worthwhile to travel on the airline. I hope the airline keeps going.”
Fly Corporate launched the service after former operator JetGo collapsed earlier this year. Many passengers had bought tickets in advance and were inconvenienced when the airline folded.
Kiama resident Rodger Williams is required to travel to Melbourne several times a year for work.
“I used to travel with JetGo so it is good to see another company take the plunge and offer flights,” he said. “I save two and half hours of my time and I enjoy not having to get up at 3am to travel to Sydney Airport.
“I also like travelling to Essendon airport because it is nice and quiet.”
Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba was one of the passenger flying to and from Melbourne. She said she enjoyed the flight because it was so “smooth and comfortable”.
“People in the Illawarra still don’t feel confident to trust the airline and I understand that fear,” Cr Saliba said. “But they should have confidence in Fly Corporate because the airline owns its own planes, has its own maintenance facility and operate across the east coast of Australia.
“They are here for the long hail and customers should feel confident to fly with the great service.”
Fly Corporate’s sales manager Geoff Woodham said he was pleased to be on the first flights to and from Melbourne.
“It is always a relief to get the first ones done,” he said. “We have done first flights many times so this was another day in what we do.
“I am delighted with the significant amount of work Fly Corporate and Shellharbour City Council has done over many months to get to this point.
“Fly Corporate is a boutique airline with good old fashioned service.
“Our staff will always meet passengers with a nice smile and will treat them with respect.”
Mr Woodham reassured passengers that the service would succeed and the company was there for the long haul.
Essendon Fields marketing manager Nadia Salajic said she was pleased to see the Shellharbour to Essendon service get back up and running because it was the most popular route from the airport.
“Fly Corporate is the right airline to support the route.” she said.
Ms Salajic said passengers could look forward to seeing the new $5 million refurbishment of the airport open next year.
Fly Corporate also offers flights to Brisbane.
