The opinion piece by Denise McHugh, Why Flying to and from Tamworth and Armidale Is a Rip-Off raises vital questions and suggests solutions which deserve further consideration.
Armidale Regional Ratepayers Association (ARRA) has long been concerned with the operation of our Regional Airport. ARRA is aware of the vital role the Airport plays in our community’s well-being and of its significance as one of the loss-making commitments born by ARC. $2.5m was allocated to airport related assets in the last budget. Consequently, it was inevitably a topic considered at our meeting with ARC on 26 November 2025.
At this meeting with Council, we were assured that ARC is developing a Masterplan for the Airport (which will go on exhibition) and will look at the question of second runway and that 2026-2027 could see the introduction of Satellite Based Navigation which will enhance operations. Council land yet to be sold will be leased to allow the development of a steady income stream. Mayor Sam Coupland subsequently advised us by email that the pavement failure of the runway in 2025 saw a reduction in the head tax as well as an increase in related expenses and that approximately 70% of the lots at the airport development have been sold to a value of about $5m.
There is general agreement that the service provided by an airport café is a worthwhile one; recent reports in the NE Times have kept us up to date on this matter.
The Federal Productivity Commission is currently holding an Inquiry into the importance of air services to regional development, (as) more accessible regional airfares could help unlock economic activity and productivity in regional Australia. This includes improving the provision of goods and services for regional Australia, increasing demand for tourism, improving Closing the Gap outcomes and supporting regional migration.
The Commission will conduct a review of the determinants of regional airfares in Australia and make recommendations on policy settings to support a competitive, reliable and affordable regional aviation network.
Submissions can be made here and a brief comment can be made here – the closing date is 15 March 2026.
At the meeting with ARC, ARRA was assured that Council would respond in some form to this Government Inquiry- possibly through the Regional Cities NSW group- and also respond to the Inquiry referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for report by 25 February 2026 (submissions have closed for this Inquiry). ARRA is seeking a meeting with our State and Federal MPs to investigate ways forward including government assistance to ensure adequate and affordable airline services (as occurs with the subsidising of services to Regional areas in Queensland)- an essential for our region’s development.
Armidale airport is a standing item on ARRA’s General meeting agendas. The next meeting will be held on Monday 16 February 2026 from 5.30 at the Armidale City Bowling Club- all are welcome.
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A ‘second runway’ at Armidale airport? For what? I can’t believe the existing runway is full to capacity with, what, four flights a day? Where’s the value proposition and what’s the purpose of a second runway? Most folks can’t even afford to fly from Armidale as it stands.
bring back East West DC3s …