EXCLUSIVE: Qantas swoops first at Wellcamp

QANTAS will be revealed as the first airline to service Wellcamp Airport when Premier Campbell Newman touches down tomorrow.

QANTAS will be revealed as the first airline to service Wellcamp Airport when Premier Campbell Newman touches down today.

Sources have confirmed the Flying Kangaroo would be first cab off the rank when domestic flights begin in November.

Premier Newman will touch down on the tarmac at 11.50am to make the announcement alongside the Wagner family, who built the airport from scratch in just 18 months.

Turmoil-embroiled Qantas plans to cut $2 billion in costs and 5000 jobs over the next three years, but is consolidating its profitable routes.

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The airline declared it would increase flights to the US and South America despite posting a $2.8 billion loss last financial year.

The website of the company's regional arm, QantasLink, says it is "expanding our service in regional Australia with aircraft to suit your travel needs".

Joe, Mary and John Wagner touch down in a King Air plane for the first time on the tarmac of Wellcamp Airport. Photo Contributed. Picture: Contributed

Wellcamp's sizeable catchment area - the 11th-largest in the country - along with its proximity to the Surat Basin mining sector, has earned it a place on the Qantas books.

Latest independent studies commissioned by Wagners estimate the airport will generate more than $452 million worth of business annually within the Toowoomba economy by 2019, along with 3100 full-time jobs for the region.

The almost-completed 8000sq m terminal will tomorrow host a medley of local, state and federal politicians alongside airport ambassadors Laura Geitz and Shane Webcke.

Toowoomba's business community has been craving the announcement for months, with speculation rife over whether Qantas or Virgin Australia would be the first airline on board.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Andrew Wielandt was especially optimistic.

"Everyone is suggesting one or the other, but wouldn't it be great for Toowoomba if both Qantas and Virgin signed on?" he said.

Wellcamp Airport

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Mr Wielandt said the airport would allow a burgeoning aeronautic industry to gain a foothold in the Garden City, while boosting tourism and allowing farmers and businesses to export goods.

"We don't have a strong aeronautic industry, although we do have the guys out at Oakey (Army Aviation Centre)," he said.

"The Singapore air force (based in Oakey) is one of only three training providers in the country that put on jobs for Australian apprentices.

"This will be a great spin-off of the things potentially coming down the runway."

Original artist's impression of the Wellcamp Airport terminal. Picture: Contributed

More than 270 workers are currently involved in the construction process, which continues all day and all night.

"Paving of the runway turning nodes is almost complete, cabling for the runway lights is now under way and the terminal fit-out will be completed next month," site manager Jack Lynch said.

Wagners chairman John Wagner said tomorrow's tour with the Premier would put on display one of Australia's most impressive regional airport terminals.

"The airport will not only be a fantastic community asset for the Toowoomba people. It will open south-west Queensland to the world and improve connectivity for the state," he said.

Early construction of the terminal gets underway. Picture: Contributed

The process

NO AIRLINES have yet received approval for flight paths from Wellcamp Airport - but the wheels are in motion.

A Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman said Qantas would still has to add Wellcamp Airport to its Air Operator's Certificate before starting regular services.

Airport management also need to gain route approval from CASA.

"That process was never expected to be completed yet. It's standard practice," the spokesman said.

Online comments

• Hopefully one of the majors. I am really excited about this airport and what it will bring to our awesome town. So lucky to live here. Brilliant Toowoomba just keeps getting better. If you don't love it leave.
  - Edward Thomas

• Two worrying questions need to be asked here. (1) What the hell does Campbell Newman have to do with this Airport? (2) Why would Qantas even be a consideration with a reputation of not being able to deliver or sustaining a service? One would hope that a reputable international carrier would be of greater preference.
  - Nick-G, Harristown

• I'd imagine initially DHC-8-300 and 400s will be flying to smaller locations... 737s and A320s at a later date. We'll wait and see what tomorrow brings.
  - Jon Albiez

• The commercial flights in and out of BWW (Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport) will just be the icing on the cake. People need to do a bit of research before going on about what they think this airport will be. If you look at any airport in the world, they make most of their money with charter and freight services. Commercial flights only ever make up about 30 to 40%.
  - Terry Crouther

Originally published as EXCLUSIVE: Qantas swoops first at Wellcamp