[Jarden S]

SKYTRANS has announced it will provide daily flights between Toowoomba and Sydney starting as early as March.

The Cairns-based airline had planned to operate two flights a day, but that has been downscaled to one flight due to the impact Queensland's mining boom has had on its capacity.

Mayor Peter Taylor yesterday confirmed with Skytrans executives that the airline's management had approved the regular weekday passenger flights.

"These regular airline services out of Toowoomba to and from Sydney are what our community has been calling for," he said.

"They will provide immeasurable opportunities for Toowoomba both from an economic and social point of view."

Cr Taylor said Skytrans' announcement validated Toowoomba Regional Council's decision to upgrade the city's airport.

That cost just less than $10million with the State Government contributing $4.7million.

"Now we're seeing the fruits of that delivery," Cr Taylor said.

Skytrans general manager Michael Thinee said the decision to proceed with one flight a day was "not ideal", but welcomed the chance to start the service.

The airline will offer one flight a day using 36 or 50-seat Dash-8 planes.

Seats are expected to cost about $350 one way.

The proposal still has to get final shareholder approval

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story...t-to-take-off/