Debrief

…the western end runway extension, the runway’s centre section which is being rebuilt, and preparatory works for the runway’s extension to the east. (Murray Ware)

Intra-regional air services

Townsville-Mackay, the next Rex link, is part of a unique intra-regional market. Such services have prevailed in WA, the NT and NSW since DC3 days, underpinned by end to end passengers such as Perth and Adelaide to Darwin and Newcastle/Brisbane, and gradually all but in QLD ceased except for a few links. From Gladstone to Cairns live 40,000 people, compared to 80,000 in a comparable area of WA and 30,000 in the NT case, making the QLD situation air viable.