Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas confident on China air link

SOUTHERN Tasmanian Councils Authority chairman Damon Thomas is confident the prospects of direct flights from China into Hobart remain on track.

Hobart Airport

SOUTHERN Tasmanian Councils Authority chairman Damon Thomas remains confident the prospects of direct flights from China into Hobart remain on track – most likely in time for Chinese New Year next February – but says a co-ordinated approach between key government and industry figures is essential to making it happen.

Ald Thomas, who is also Hobart’s Lord Mayor, said the position taken by the authority’s 12 leaders was to vigorously promote the tourism, economic and social value of increased air access into southern Tasmania.

“We have been authorised by our 12 mayors to do everything within our power to work with our Government, with the Chinese Government and with their airlines to increase the air capacity into what is effectively Greater Hobart’s airport,” he said.

“We want this to become a reality, not a probability.”

Ald Thomas, who has twice met the Chinese Consul-General in Australia about the matter and has also travelled to China to meet officials, said it was essential that Tasmania remained a connected region, because with connectivity came economic and cultural opportunities.

He said that among all the interest groups he was speaking to there was overwhelming support for international air access in Hobart but now was the time to co-ordinate a sound business case to put to the airlines.

“My view is that it’s a necessity and I’m willing to work with anybody to make it happen because there are going to be so many advantages from it including freight uptake,” he said.

“I respect the fact that there are a number of players but we need a consolidated approach and the goodwill needs to be translated into some practical solutions because the world is seeking connection with us. But we can do this because we have the best place in the world to sell.”

Ald Thomas said that with Hobart becoming something of a mecca for festivals, there was no better time to get either charter or regular flights from China started than for Chinese New Year next February.

“I can say it would be fantastic to see something concrete by that time but we do not want to be the only people in this space saying that,” he said. We want to work with the tourism council and with the Government, and not work in isolation.”

He said tourism supported one in eight jobs in Tasmania.

Originally published as Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas confident on China air link