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Qantas takes first step into Wellcamp Airport

With a sign-up from Qantas, the Wagners defy rumours that the $200 million project would never attract passengers.

With a sign-up from Qantas, the Wagners defy rumours that the $200 million project would never attract passengers.

Qantas Airlines has become the first company to announce that its regional faction will operate from the first major airport to be built in Australia in more than half a century.

The Wellcamp airport is funded by Towoomba’s Wagner family who earnt their vast $827 million fortune in the construction industry.

The airport, set to host its first commercial flight on November 17th, has been subject to skepticism and criticism.

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Original shots from the construction site. Image Source: Aviation Australia.

The Wagner’s, not satisfied with the $200 million investment, are seeking to construct a $1.7 billion road project which could make the new airport a serious competitor against Brisbane and Gold Coast airports respectively.

The Wagners have also pledged that the airport will work around the clock.

The hyper-development of the region, along with the potential for extra traffic and noise pollution created by a 24-hour airport, has seen local residence placed in a tailspin.

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Brothers John and Denis Wagner. Image Source: The Australian.

However, their protests were not behind the strong scepticism the project has received from the aviation industry.

Their initial response to the construction, was that its location, 20 kilometres from Towoomba’s centre and 130 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, would fail to attract customers.

However, with QantasLink signing up to operating 11 return flights to Sydney, the airport has been granted credibility and may see an increase in demand from other airline giants.

What are your predictions for Wellcamp?