New aerodrome near Denham to open soon

13/10/93

Tourism in the Shark Bay region will be enhanced with the opening of a new aerodrome near Denham within a few weeks.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said the new aerodrome, being built by private interests at a cost of about $1 million, would open the door to competition between air services to Denham and Monkey Mia.

The aerodrome is located five kilometres north-east of Denham and should be operational by the end of October.

The developers, a local consortium involving the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort and the New Heritage Hotel in Denham, believe up to 25,000 additional tourists would visit the area as a result of increased air services.

About 100,000 people currently visit the world heritage region of Shark Bay annually.

Mr Charlton said Western Airlines would continue to service Kalbarri, Useless Loop and Denham under the existing arrangement with the Government until the end of January, 1994.

"The opening of the new aerodrome at Shark Bay, with its capacity to take larger aircraft, is expected to be the catalyst for increased tourism and an encouragement for economic development in the area," he said.

"While we will open Shark Bay to any operator wanting to service the area, the Government still has an overriding commitment to ensure that a good level of air service is maintained."

Mr Charlton said Western Airlines had operated a subsidised service from Perth through Geraldton to Kalbarri, Useless Loop and Denham since April, 1989.

"While the airline will be given the opportunity to position itself for the competitive environment, the Department of Transport will consult the communities and explore the service options for Kalbarri and Useless Loop in particular," he said.

Western Airlines currently operates three daily services per week using a nine-seat Chieftain aircraft.

The aerodrome has a 2,200 metre-long runway, much of it sealed, to enable aircraft up to the size of a Fokker F50 to use the strip.

There was also potential for further developing the facility to take heavier aircraft in the future.

Media contact: Dean Roberts 321 7333