‘Lots to come’: New Coffs Harbour Airport operators look to the future
Incoming business manager reveals there’s “important things happening” as Coffs airport is placed into new hands under a long-term lease.
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“There’s a number of important things happening – we’re incredibly excited.”
Those are the words of Gareth Williamson, a key executive in the management team that is taking on Coffs Airport in a month’s time under a new long-term lease.
It was a divisive issue, but last year Coffs Harbour City councillors ultimately voted in favour of privatising the airport under a 50 year lease with a 49-year extension option – a deal that was touted by council to be worth $500m to the community.
The company that acquired the airport was later revealed to be Palisade Investment Partners, the same company which has been operating Sunshine Coast Airport since it was awarded the 99-year lease in 2017.
Palisade has now launched management company Agilis Airports, which will operate both the Sunshine Coast and Coffs Harbour assets.
Mr Williamson is the General Manager of Aviation Business Development for Agilis Airports, previously having worked at Christchurch Airport, and he revealed to The Advocate that they had been working closely with Coffs Harbour City Council to ensure a smooth and gradual transition.
He said he expects the transition period to conclude in about a month’s time.
“Our company is delighted to be working on the Coffs Coast and we’re excited to be managing one of the key infrastructure pieces as the region really comes to life,” he said.
“There’s lots to come. Aviation development is a big part of it of course, but there’s also exciting plans for the Enterprise Park and commercial property precinct which is being developed, as well as the broader airport campus – it’s a really wonderful asset.”
Early excavation works have been underway at the Enterprise Park, a $26m, 23-hectare commercial, industrial and logistics precinct adjacent to the airport.
The sod has also already been turned on what will be Coffs’ first-ever commercial data centre on lot 91 of the park, which is said will strengthen the local digital economy by providing network infrastructure and faster internet speeds.
The airport’s new incoming General Manager Frank Mondello is leaving his role at Sunshine Coast Airport and is moving to Coffs ahead as the transition period draws close to conclusion.
He has been the General Manager of Operations and Assets, and previously held senior roles at Sydney Airport. Alongside Mr Williamson and the project team, he helped bring to life the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project which saw a new internationally capable runway come into operation last year.
Optimism as new flights take off despite Virgin’s “disappointing” exit
In the past month, Coffs Harbour Airport has seen a massive boost in passenger numbers following the introduction of Rex Airlines, and new Melbourne and Brisbane routes with Qantas.
Mr Williamson said the aim of the strengthened partnership with Qantas was to establish a whole network between Coffs Harbour, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in a way that had never been done before.
“It’s the first time Qantas has operated in that style to and from this region and they can really see the potential here,” he said.
“They see the potential to bring high value tourism, as well as to open up more connections for those travelling for business or to see family – all those reasons why domestic travel has bounced back from COVID-19 really well,” he said.
Mr Williamson said the airport has had an “exciting month” despite Virgin exiting the region in mid-April, noting that the newly introduced Rex Airlines was helping to fill the void.
A spokesman for the Virgin had told The Advocate last month that the decision to axe the Coffs-Sydney flights had come following a review of the airline’s network as it continues to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19.
“It was disappointing that Virgin did suspend its services, but we’re confident we’ll be able to welcome them back in the region at another point in time,” Mr Williamson said.
“We’ve seen the launch of Rex Airlines with their service on the Sydney and Coffs Harbour route, 18 times a week. They operate a smaller aircraft but at quite a high frequency, up to three flights a day, and that’s a great strategy for a region like Coffs Harbour. It serves the Sydney market for business travellers, and for people connecting to other parts of Australia.”
Following the launch of Qantas’ Brisbane services, incoming GM Frank Mondello was also optimistic.
“Having these direct flights will not only pave the way for a strong tourism recovery after COVID-19, but will further strengthen the region’s business links,” he said in a statement.
The new Melbourne services will provide 80,000 seats between the two destinations each year, while the Brisbane services will add 31,000 and Rex’s daily Sydney services will add more than 60,000.
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