Link Airways suspends Wollongong/Shellharbour flights

By Andrew Curran.

Link Airways is ending its flights to and from Wollongong Shellharbour Airport, leaving the airport without any scheduled passenger services.

The commuter airline has served Wollongong Shellharbour since 2018, operating four weekly flights to both Brisbane (BNE) and Melbourne (MEL). However, according to its online booking portal, the final flights will operate on May 18.

Network Strategy Manager Jeff Boyd told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that rising fuel costs and declining passenger demand had made the routes unworkable.

“The market down there at Shellharbour is quite price-sensitive, and the numbers last month were just shocking,” he said.

“We're losing tens of thousands of dollars every day we operate that service and, as a small family-owned company, we just have to make some cuts and save some money for the greater good.”

Wollongong Shellharbour Airport struggles to retain airlines

Despite serving an immediate population catchment of more than 400,000 people, Wollongong Shellharbour Airport has struggled to retain scheduled passenger flights.

QantasLink operated scheduled DHC-8-Q400 services on the Wollongong/Shellharbour – Melbourne route around two decades ago before axing the flights in 2008. Approximately ten years ago, JetGo briefly operated services to Brisbane and Melbourne before collapsing in 2018.

The now-defunct Air Facilities and Impulse Airlines have also previously flown to and from Wollongong/Shellharbour.

Wollongong Shellharbour Airport is located only about 80 kilometres, or a 60-minute drive, from the well-serviced Sydney Airport.

“We're facing fuel costs now nearly double what they were before the Middle East conflict,” Boyd said. “We increased our fares slightly, but not really enough to cover those fuel costs... Everyone is pulling back on their spending.”

Boyd did not rule out the possibility of Link Airways returning to Wollongong/Shellharbour. The decision has been described as a suspension rather than a permanent cancellation, although there is no restart date and Boyd suggested a return was unlikely under current conditions.

Link Airways flight suffer from a lack of public awareness

The airport’s owner and operator, Shellharbour City Council, said it was “saddened” by Link Airways’ decision.

“We recognise this decision has not been taken lightly, reflecting the challenging environment and broader cost pressures affecting businesses and households,” a statement on the council’s website said. “While we understand these realities, we know this news will be disappointing for our community.”

Boyd said additional support from nearby local councils, particularly around promoting the airport and its flights, would have been beneficial.

“People don't know we're there,” he said. “It's amazing how many people have been there for eight years and say, ‘I didn't know you could fly from here to Melbourne.’”

“It would be great if Wollongong (City Council) could pitch in and help Shellharbour promote the service, because it is good for Wollongong to have that service operating from there. It is as good for Wollongong as it is for Shellharbour.”

Tightly held airline carves out a niche in South Eastern Australia

Brisbane-based Link Airways, formerly known as Fly Corporate, operates a fleet of eleven Saab 340s across south-east Australia. Scheduled flights extend north to Biloela (ZBL) and south to Hobart Airport (HBA). Earlier this month, Link Airways launched scheduled flights between Launceston (LST) and Canberra (CBR), where it also bases some aircraft.

Link Airways is the trading name of Australian private company Vee H Aviation Pty Ltd. Australian corporate records show that the majority of the company’s shares are held by the Southern New South Wales-based Major family. Andrew Major is the airline’s chief executive.

Aero South Pacific has contacted Link Airways for comment.

Photo: AI-Generated.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com