Retail spaces fill at Wellcamp Airport

WITH an airline finally on board, commercial vacancies at Wellcamp Airport are quickly being filled.

WITH an airline finally on board, commercial vacancies at Wellcamp Airport are quickly being filled.

Four hire car companies have already signed on - Avis, Hertz, Budget and Europcar - as well as the airport's first food outlet.

The city's third Pump Cafe will be ready for business in time for the airport's public open day on September 28.

It will be the Toowoomba-owned business's third store, with owners Geoff and Tracie Batzloff eager to flick the "airport food" stigma.

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"It's exciting. We're calling it Pump Express Wellcamp and it will be a 'grab-and-go' cafe with all our salad rolls, wraps, sandwiches, homemade pies, quiches and those things we're known for.

"We won't be cooking burgers to order, but it will be good, home-style cooking."

The cafe will be situated near the terminal entrance, before customers go through security.

Overlooking a model of Wellcamp Airport are (from left) ambassador Shane Webcke, QantasLink chief executive John Gissing and Wagners chairman John Wagner. . Picture: Contributed

Airport manager Phil Gregory said he was in talks with a newsagency, another coffee shop and a bar outlet about opening in the terminal.

"We'd like a fast food outlet in there too. We haven't got that lined up yet, but we are in talks," he said.

False walls have been erected in the terminal, hiding more retail space to be revealed as new shops move in.

Long-term plans to open a Direct Factory Outlet to rival that of Brisbane Airport are also on the books.

"With the business park around us, we see that becoming something similar to Skygate at Brisbane Airport," Mr Gregory said.

"It's baby steps now, but we can certainly see the opportunity for similar development."

The two big factors management hopes will draw passengers to Wellcamp instead of Brisbane are convenience and price.

Wagners chairman John Wagner has regularly stated Wellcamp would be a "low-cost airport" - and it seems that will extend to parking.

"We haven't set the prices yet, but it won't be anything like Brisbane," Mr Gregory said.

"It will be typical regional airport parking, but there will be a cost."

Wellcamp Airport manager Phil Gregory leads guests on a tour of the terminal at Wednesday's QantasLink announcement. . Picture: Contributed

Mr Gregory dismissed concerns the new facility would spell the death of The Airport Flyer, a door-to-door transport service linking regional areas to Brisbane Airport.

"We're in talks with them and another bus company, which is talking about servicing hotels and that sort of thing," he said.

"This will go both ways. People in Laidley, Dalby and Warwick will all catch The Airport Flyer to Wellcamp.

"It will open their business even more and give them two-way traffic, which is a good thing for them."

Shuttle buses to Toowoomba City are also being considered.

Tickets aboard the first QantasLink flights from Wellcamp to Sydney on November 17 quickly sold out yesterday, but other launch deals are still available.

To book tickets visit www.wellcamp.com.au or call Qantas on 13 13 13.

Originally published as Retail spaces fill at Wellcamp Airport