Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) Plans to be Considered at Whitsunday Airport

Jeffrey Ruddell, owner of The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour, recently made the announcement that he had been having conversations with different mining companies and, although things weren't finalised, the view of securing a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) service from the Whitsunday Airport was in the process.

He made the announcement at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards, which were recently held at The Whitsunday Airport.

Mr Ruddell said that mining companies have contacted the Airport, and are keen to give their employees access to FIFO options in the Whitsundays. He highlighted, for example, that a flight from Airlie Beach to Moranbah, could get miners there in 30 minutes, which would cut down travel time significantly.

Mr Ruddell said he believed the service would not only be beneficial for mine workers who wanted to live in the Whitsundays but also for the town. He said it would also take workers off the roads travelling to and from mine sites.

A public meeting will be held in a couple of months to gauge interest and numbers of mine workers and other stakeholders in offering a FIFO service from The Whitsunday Airport.

The Whitsunday Regional Council has been regularly talking about creating a fly FIFO service from the Whitsunday Coast / Proserpine Airport.

Mr Ruddell said the Whitsunday Coast / Proserpine Airport would be able to use larger aircraft, while the Whitsunday Airport at Airlie Beach would be focusing on smaller propeller aircraft which typically seated between 12 and 20 passengers.