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Regional carrier Jetgo has cited low demand and economic conditions for shelving planned Sydney-Roma flights less than two weeks from launch.
The airline was due to start operating between Sydney and Roma with 36-seat Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft from December 1.
However, a post on Jetgo’s Facebook page on Thursday said those flights have been cancelled, with all passengers given a full refund.
“Unfortunately, due to the slow response of bookings and the decline of future projects throughout the Roma district, a business decision had to be made – one that has not been made lightly,” Jetgo said.
“Jetgo Australia remains invested in this route and should there by an increase in demand by the general public or companies, then we may return in the near future.”
It was the second setback for Jetgo’s Sydney-Roma route, which was originally due to launch on November 10 but was pushed back to December 1 in early November due to what the airline said at the time were delays in establishing its systems at Sydney Airport.
Jetgo said its Sydney-Gladstone flights were scheduled to launch “as planned” on December 1.
The airline, which was primarily a charter and fly-in/fly-out operator prior to gaining its high capacity jet RPT Air Operator’s Certificate in October, passed its proving flight for Sydney-Gladstone on Friday November 7.
It also planned to operate Tamworth-Brisbane services from January 19 2015.
Derrick
says:What they need is Roma to toowoomba flights, this would save time for people who do fifo from Brisbane but live in toowoomba. And theyneed to expand to miles as well..
Lucas
says:Hope I’m wrong! But, looks like the cracks are starting to appear. It seems operating jets on turbo prop routes might not be so viable after all.
Chuck
says:Toowoomba Wellcamp to Newcastle or Townsville makes more sense. Sydney – Roma makes no sense when one end of the route has a population centre with 10,000 or less. At least with Newcastle (500,000), Toowoomba (150,000) and Townsville (200,000) you have sizeable catchments to work with.
Cactus
says:It would be naive of any start up airline management to expect profitable loads from day one. Too many newcomers have already failed for the public to get behind these guys until they prove themselves capable of delivering a reliable service.
They will need deep pockets to succeed.
Ian
says:Maybe they could give Newcastle – Canberra a go? Surely there must be the demand given the size of both centres and there is NOTHING that is remotely acceptable from an airline timetable perspective at present.