Plans for direct flights to Townsville

 THERE are plans to re-establish direct flights between Townsville, Australia, and Port Moresby by the end of the year.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said this during his first visit to Townsville last weekend where he met the chamber of commerce, the mayor and the state government.

O’Neill said he wanted to see more North Queensland businesses expanding into this region.

The prime minister also said he would ask Air Niugini to start a direct route between Port Moresby and Townsville.

“Overnight in the air and back so we can make it easier for the business community to travel up to Papua New Guinea and conduct their businesses.”

Townsville is geographically closer to Port Moresby than it is to Brisbane but O’Neill said business opportunities were being hindered because of a lack of access.

The prime minister said the Government may have to initially subsidise the route but he believed it was economically viable. – ABC News