End of an era: Link Airways suspends flights from NSW regional city
The region's only commercial passenger airline is pulling out.
Flights from Shellharbour Airport on the South Coast of NSW to Brisbane and Melbourne will cease due to rising fuel costs and reduced demand.
Link Airways made the announcement on May 7, revealing it would be suspending all flights from Shellharbour Airport from May 20, 2026.
Link Airways has been operating from the Illawarra airport since 2018, initially under the name Fly Corporate.
The establishment of its service followed the collapse of the regional airline Jet Go which went into administration earlier that year.
JetGo brought passenger flights back to the Illawarra in 2017, almost a decade after Qantas stopped regular trips to Melbourne from the Illawarra between June 2005 to July 2008.
In 2022 Link Airways expanded the number of flights from the Illawarra to Brisbane and Melbourne following a COVID-related show down.
Now, the airline said "increased fuel costs and reduced demand" were the cause of the suspension, with all affected customers to be contacted and offered a full refund.
The airline also said it will "continue to monitor the market closely and look to return to Wollongong when demand recovers".
"Link Airways would like to thank the Illawarra community, and Councils, for their on-going support since Link Airways' commenced flights from Wollongong (Shellharbour Airport) in November 2018," the statement said.
The announcement about Illawarra flights came a day after Link Airways' first flight between Canberra and Launceston took off.
A spokesperson for Shellharbour City Council said the council was "saddened to hear" the decision to suspend flights.
"We recognise this decision has not been taken lightly, reflecting the challenging environment and broader cost pressures affecting businesses and households," they said.
"While we understand these realities, we know this news will be disappointing for our community.
"Shellharbour Airport is a key economic driver that supports connectivity, business, tourism and essential travel. Council values its longstanding relationship with Link Airways and is continuing to work with the airline as we manage this transition."
The council said they would work with airline partners towards the return of passenger services to the airport.
In a Facebook post following Link's announcement, an account called "Wollongong Airport" said it was "disappointing news for the Illawarra".
"Link has been flying from WOL [sic] since November 2018, longer than any previous passenger airline in our airport's history," the social media account said.
"We're grateful for that commitment, and we understand the economics that have made this decision unavoidable.
"This is exactly the outcome we've been writing about. Thin margins. Rising costs. A funding environment that makes regional aviation almost impossible to sustain without government support."
The remaining seven days of flights from the Illawarra to Brisbane cost $369 each way, while flights to Melbourne cost between $369 to $489.
May 18 will be the final day for flights out of the airport, as they don't run on Tuesdays.
Travel's Top Picks
Travel's Most Viewed
Stopover sting as gastro claims surge in Asian transit hubs
Entering one of Australia's favourite destinations is about to get harder
Why simply reusing your hotel towel isn't saving the planet
Holidaying on this Asian island just got cheaper thanks to a major rule change
The one that got away: tourists reveal the souvenirs they regret not buying
6-hour airport chaos: new European border rule causing nightmare delays
Western Sydney's new 24/7 airport opening date and $59 launch fares revealed
