Airport not ready for international flights

Reports Chinese airlines will be making stopovers in Broome as part of a deal with the Federal Government should be taken with a grain of salt, according to the manager of Broome International Airport.

Eastern States’ newspapers last week reported stopovers in Broome were part of a deal done by the Federal Government to allow more flights between Australian capitals and China.

The deal would allow an extra 2500 seats per week on flights between the two countries provided the flights stopped in “regional gateways” Darwin, Broome or Cairns.

Broome International Airport general manager Nick Belyea said the deal was part of the aviation white paper released by Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese last year.

Mr Belyea said while the deal was a good initiative, there would be no stopovers in Broome in the foreseeable future as the airport was not able to handle larger planes, like the Boeing 777, which would be flying the routes.

“They (the Federal Government) have identified Broome, Darwin and Cairns as expansion points, as regional gateways, and that’s a good thing,” Mr Belyea said.

He said current plans for a Broome to Singapore route would take precedence over stopovers from China.

The oil and gas industry has been seen as a drawcard for Broome’s international routes, with an increase in sales of business class fares likely