QantasLink inaugurated Australia’s new airport yesterday, as the first passenger airline to touch down at West Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba, Brisbane.
The new airport was built in less than 18 months and can accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 747 (carrying a maximum of 660 passengers).
It is one of Australia’s longest regional runways and the second longest regional runway in Queensland.
Built by the ‘Darling Downs’ or the Wagner family, it is also Australia’s first privately funded greenfield public airport.
The Wagner family along with a mix of politicians, business leaders, local community and private funders were among the first to arrive at the airport via flight QF2017.
QantasLink chief executive John Gissing expects the regional airport to help stimulate tourism to the regional area.
Wagners’ chairman John Wagner said he and his three brothers – who all hold equal shares in the company – were proud of the infrastructure project.
“To see our vision of a jet-capable airport come to life and celebrate the first flight with our first customer QantasLink, it’s a moment we are all extremely proud of,” he said.
QantasLink will fly 11 return flights a week to and from Sydney to Toowoomba.