The NRL is a step closer to buying an American-sports style private aircraft for its players to use for travel between games after confirming it has started putting together a business proposal for the ambitious investment.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL management, headed by chief executive Andrew Abdo, gave the green light on Wednesday for a feasibility study into whether an aircraft could be added to its assets.
The proposal has the support of out-of-Sydney clubs, including the Cowboys, Warriors and Storm, after the NRL, for the second week in a row, was forced to charter a flight for a finals team.
North Queensland and the NRL will split the costs of a trip to Sydney for the Cowboys’ sudden-death showdown with the Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
The only two direct Townsville to Sydney flights on Thursday were booked out, primarily by travelling Cowboys fans, leaving the NRL and club to scramble for alternate arrangements.
The Knights also chartered a private flight to Townsville for last week’s elimination final loss after being scheduled to play on a short turnaround from their round-27 fixture against the Dolphins.
Peter V’landys likes the idea of an NRL-operated plane to ferry stars such as Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell around the country.Credit: NRL Photos
On Wednesday, V’landys confirmed the NRL will begin formal research into whether to add a plane to its other investments, including hotels in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Woolooware in Sydney’s south.
“It’s a very good suggestion, and it’s got enormous benefit,” V’landys said. “We discussed it [on Wednesday] and we’re definitely going to do an analysis.
“You can do promotions where you can take fans to different venues, and especially if we expand to Perth, Papua New Guinea, the south island of New Zealand or wherever, it becomes a more realistic option.
“If it’s only slightly more money than what we’re paying now, it doesn’t matter because of the comfort and convenience which would be given to the players for their welfare far outweighs any additional costs.
“The cost-benefit analysis can stack up because of the revenue you make when you’re not using it.”
Sydney’s Bankstown Airport operates around the clock and was used extensively by the NRL during its COVID-impacted seasons, but has restrictions on the size of aircraft allowed to land.
The new western Sydney airport is also expected to be in use 24 hours a day, and the NRL’s research will determine how much it costs for slots to be secured and whether it will be viable to enter into a partnership with a charter company.
Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel and Warriors counterpart Cameron George have already urged the NRL to explore the idea before the anticipated introduction of the Perth-based Western Bears and Papua New Guinea from 2027, taking the NRL competition to 20 teams, which will also increase the travel load on the game’s stars.
“We would be very supportive of such a plan,” Storm general manager Frank Ponissi said. “Not only would it help with our travel and the preparation of athletes, but one benefit would also be enabling players and staff to spend more time with their family.”
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