Could Orange to Newcastle flights be closer than ever? Cryptic message gives hope to travellers

Direct flight between Orange and Newcastle could be closer than ever after what could only be described as a cryptic update on the situation was provided.

Since 2024 when the idea was brought up by former Council Jack Evans to connect to the two cities, all eyes have been on if and when the proposal would be implemented.

Despite Rex Airlines citing a "lack of demand" as one of the reasons the company pulled the pin on its own Orange services in October, passenger numbers are soaring.

Passenger numbers - which include figures from Rex, Link Airways (formerly Fly Corporate) and QantasLink - during September 2026 were 10,644 compared to 8836 for the same month in 2025. That 2026 number was also the second highest mark for any month in the past five years.

The numbers from August and July 2026 were also the highest for those particular months over the past five years and some of the highest overall in that timeframe.

So with passenger numbers on the rise, could that mean direct trips to Newcastle are within our grasp?

Cr Kevin Duffy posed the question during the November 3 Orange council meeting.

"We have on the books that we're looking at going to Newcastle. Where are we up to with that, are we having any discussions with those," he asked.

"Last Wednesday there were half-a-dozen people flying Qantas going to Sydney and then having to get a connecting flight to Newcastle."

He was met with a not so clear cut answer by council's director of corporate and commercial services, Jen Sharp.

"We are still in negotiations," she said.

"We've got some things that we're not quite ready to have in a public forum just yet but we will be able to share that with you very soon."

Earlier in the meeting, Cr Whitton also broached the subject of replacing the lost flights caused by the Rex exodus.

He asked if council had thought about holding discussions with Qantas to see if it was willing to add more services.

"I know as a frequent flyer, it's getting very difficult to get a seat on a flight," he added.

The room was then informed that Qantas "is talking to" council about increasing flight numbers.