Possible regional routes from Canberra

[Michael R]

Discussion today at work in possible new routes from Canberra to Albury/ Wagga. I know Brindabella previously operated the Albury route but with the introduction of an International service now available and possibly more in the near future would bypassing Sydney and Melbourne become a favorable option.

[Yusef D]

DJ's HBA-CBR-SYD service made a lot of sense to me. Probably why they dropped it.

[Rowan McKeever]

Three things.

1. It wasn't a HBA-CBR-SYD service; it was a HBA-CBR service and a CBR-SYD service. The aircraft may have gone from one to the other, but the flight number changed.

2. Much of the reason for stopping the service had to do with the operating aircraft now being US residents.

3. I completely agree with you that sensible and VA don't always go hand-in-hand!!!

[Robert.M]

I know Brindabella previously operated the Albury route but with the introduction of an International service now available and possibly more in the near future would bypassing Sydney and Melbourne become a favorable option.

Brindabella did have a CBR/WGA/CBR flight (launched at the same time as ABX (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/26/1051316050510.html)) but was axed due to low passenger numbers.

While there is a Jetgo service that connects with Brisbane Airport, I'm not too sure if WGA and ABX could sustain flight from and to CBR. Though with Grains Research and Development Corporation moved to Wagga, it may have some Government use. Would be great to see a CBR service but can't see it happening in the short term.

[Michael R]

Robert were those flights to Albury and Wagga in their Metroliner's or did they utilize the Piper Navajo's.

[Zac M]

I believe it was Metroliners and J41s

[Michael R]

Thank's Zac.

[Steve Jones]

They started with the Pipers and then progressed to Metros. J41s came later again.

WGA didn't last long and I think were Pipers only.

[Robert.M]

Robert were those flights to Albury and Wagga in their Metroliner's or did they utilize the Piper Navajo's.

Nope was only a CBR/WGA/CBR. As Steve stated, it was only the Piper Navajo's (one of which is now owned by Wagga Air Centre [VH-TAS], also ex Airlines of Tasmania).

They started with the Pipers and then progressed to Metros. J41s came later again.

WGA didn't last long and I think were Pipers only.
Indeed, the community didn't support the service but people whinge about it being axed. I think Albury was Navajo, then Metro but not 100% if J41 operated CBR/ABX/CBR.

[MarkR]

Nope was only a CBR/WGA/CBR. As Steve stated, it was only the Piper Navajo's (one of which is now owned by Wagga Air Centre [VH-TAS], also ex Airlines of Tasmania).

Didnt even last a year, going for 10 weeks in 2003 and operated by the Navajo.

Metro operated the ABY flights in 2006 http://aviationcollection.org/Brindabella%20Airlines/Artifacts/Mini%20Timetable/Mini%20Time.htm

[Jarden S]

Another route that got cut was Qantas 737 CBR to DRW. Maybe not enough traffic for the 737 then so a 717/F100 might be a better fit, if it got relaunched same for HBA.

[Ryan K]

It would be great to see a QF 717 from HBA-CBR each morning, returning later that evening. VA used to do this with the E170/190.

[Jacob L]

Also the VA E170 that used to do CBR-TSV direct.

Would be a good idea for CBR-HBA on the 717, also CBR-OOL on the 717 for competition against VA with their E190/738. Problem is that QF is already having trouble with scheduling with the 717 due YQU still being u/s.
If more all Y jets are bought over to the east coast and have the J & Y class configs put in, e.g., NXI, J & R - Then more options may open. Who knows?

[Rowan McKeever]

The B717 is way too much aircraft for CBR-HBA... since VA couldn't consistently fill an E170 on that route. A Q400 is about the most that route could hope for.

As for CBR-DRW, firstly I object strongly to either city being referred to as 'regional', and also the B717 doesn't work here (or HBA-DRW) either as it doesn't have the range. The only way CBR-DRW is coming back is with an Airnorth E170. And I very much doubt you'll ever see a nonstop HBA-DRW.

[Kain C]

The 717 would work for QF on HBA-CBR because:

1) While VA used an E70 initially, they moved the E90 onto this route even when there were E70s remaining in the fleet.

2) As a high yield route it wouldn't need a load factor averaging 80 per cent to make money. The 12J layout of the 717 would be well used.

3) QF would command more passengers on this service than VA given QF has a lounge in HBA and VA doesn't, together with QF having the lions' share of the government travel market.

The Q400 would not work for QF on HBA-CBR because:

1) It was tried on HBA-MEL and was removed

2) It was tried on CBR-ADL and was removed

A whole day's flying for this HBA based 717 could be made for example by:

1) HBA-CBR-OOL-CBR-ADL-CBR-HBA

2) HBA-CBR-ADL-HBA-ADL-CBR-HBA

[MarkR]

I think the lack of a lounge for VA in Hobart is indicative of the lack of business travel, which is why I doubt the J seats in a 717 would be of much use. Tassie attracts mostly VFR traffic, total business visitors is around 700 a day for the entire state!