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NSW regional carrier FlyPelican is launching a new route from Newcastle to Narrabri in the state’s North West Slopes.
FlyPelican will initially operate two hour-long flights per week between Narrabri and its base in Newcastle, starting on 25 August. Currently, Narrabri is served only by Link Airways, which flies to Brisbane and Sydney.
Passengers from Narrabri to Newcastle will be able to connect seamlessly to Sydney and Canberra, the airline says, with all baggage automatically checked through to their next aircraft.
“We’re thrilled to introduce this new service, a direct reflection of the increasing demand and our dedication to serve regional communities. It will provide convenient travel for FIFO workers, the agricultural sector, and Hunter New England Health professionals,” said FlyPelican CEO Henry Murcott.
“The introduction of this route allows greater opportunity for people in the west to fly to Newcastle Airport and connect seamlessly onward to other destinations.”
The news comes a month after FlyPelican announced flights between Canberra and Albury, which will commence on 29 August. The carrier also recently announced a new cadetship program in partnership with Inbound Aviation, which will take on its first cadets in late August.
The move comes amid a broader skills shortage in the aviation sector, which has seen airlines like Rex cut regional routes due to a lack of available talent, while Bonza has cancelled flights after mechanical issues prevented pilot training.
“This cadetship provides a unique opportunity taking cadets from zero flight experience to the right-hand seat of a high-performance, multi-crew airline environment, undertaking multi-faceted roles with the only local Newcastle-based airline,” said Murcott.
