MILDURA Airport Pty Ltd says it has no option but to prepare for further lockdowns as the organisation pins its financial hopes on a speedy return to regular passenger numbers.
Passenger numbers dropped to just 10 per cent of pre-COVID demand during the latest lockdown and flight numbers fell by 80 per cent.
However, Mildura Airport chief executive Trevor Willcock said it was hoped that with an easing of restrictions across Victoria this week that passenger numbers would again increase steadily.
“We got up to almost 60 per cent of pre-COVID levels before the recent lockdown so the bounce-back was actually pretty quick,” Mr Willcock said. “Every outbreak and lockdown obviously has a major impact on us, so again we dropped 80 per cent of our flights and 90 per cent of the passengers because obviously they have been very nervous to travel cross-border in times like this,” he said.
“It’s had a big impact and that impact happens quickly.”
Mr Willcock said the while the airport had been doing “not very well”, he hoped the easing of travel restrictions in Victoria would help to increase passenger numbers and flight schedules.
“They have done it every time lockdown has ended – there’s about a week or two lag and then the passenger numbers start climbing as do the flights in accordance with that,” he said.
“I’m sure we’ll see that again and at the same time we’re getting people vaccinated – not nearly as quickly enough, but at least that process is happening.
“In conjunction with that we should see a quick recovery.”
Mr Willcock said he also hoped the Mildura-Sydney route operated by QantasLink would be able to continue operating throughout the stay-at-home orders across Greater Sydney for the next four weeks.
“The Sydney route dropped down to one or two flights a week and there’s not big loadings on those,” he said.
“But in non-lockdown times it was a really good and busy flight and we had twice-a-day just before this previous lockdown.
“Qantas have not been in touch about it and they’re pretty happy with it in normal times, so I assume it will stay and hopefully we can just get through the next four weeks.”
He said the airport had not been required to dip into cash reserves as feared earlier this year.
“We were very fortunate to get some state support and we are still working well within what they provided and there has been federal support as well,” he said.
“We’re not using our reserves at this stage, but obviously if there are further lockdowns that may happen again.
“Unfortunately, we’ve just got to be ready for them (lockdowns) because I don’t think this will be the last – I think there might be one or two more before vaccination rates are high enough.”(breakout)
Funding boost for aiportMILDURA Airport has received almost $300,000 for the replacement of runway, taxiway and wind sock lighting.
The funding is one of five regional airports in the Mallee to benefit from grants totalling almost $1.6 million under the second round of the Australian Government’s Regional Airports Program.
Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the projects would improve safety, security and amenities at airports in Mallee.
Dr Webster said the $298,000 funding would allow the Mildura Airport to complete necessary safety and serviceabilty upgrades.
“Every dollar spent on local infrastructure is a dollar well spent and I look forward to working with the community to deliver this vital funding as we continue recovering from the pandemic,” Dr Webster said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the program supported important safety and access upgrades for regional airports.
“For our regional communities, the local airport provides an essential link to the rest of Australia,” Mr Joyce said.
“These projects will improve the safety of aircraft, operators and passengers, the delivery of goods and services and better meet the operational requirements of aeromedical and other emergency services, including supporting bushfire preparedness.”
