International flights to/from CBR

[kamchatsky]

CBR-AKL is a good idea as definitely most people who don't live in SYD do not like transiting in SYD with all the hassle of catching transit bus (and paying for it). I find AKL a decent airport (whilst not fancy) for transiting purposes.


Of course VA will do code-share with NZ which makes the this route more viable.


Forget the VFT between Sydney and Canberra (and Melbourne). It is just too expensive after all those environmental studies, consultant fees, hideous labour costs etc etc etc.

 

[kamchatsky]

I beleive there used to be a more regular bus service, but it was discontinued due to lack of passengers.....

I never know there are people who actually catches the bus in Canberra, regardless whether they go to Canberra airport! I never see people on ACTION!

 

[smit0847]

is there a 1st world capital that is not serviced internationally? are we the only one?

I was wondering exactly the same thing reading this thread - its quite embarrassing!

 

[wingspan]

I never know there are people who actually catches the bus in Canberra, regardless whether they go to Canberra airport! I never see people on ACTION!

The bus system here is actually really good, as it services people in each catchment, not just the major centres of each catchment. So not only does it service Gungahlin, Belconnen, Civic, Woden, and Tuggeranong, but most of their suburbs as well. The only problem areas are new suburbs, but ACTION are always updating their services with these in mind (think Crace, etc).

At the moment, ANY public transport option to/from the airport apart from cabs would be nice.

And given that a VFT would still take an hour or so to get to SYD, I don't think it's a feasible option. (Although it takes an hour or so just to go down Southern Cross Drive during peak hours these days).

ACTION run busses from Civic to Brindabella Business Park throughout the day (the express services at peak hours are particularly useful if they match with your flight times). It's only a 3 minute walk from the BBP bus stop to the airport terminal. It's cheap, convenient, and hassle-free.

 

[richie9x]

is there a 1st world capital that is not serviced internationally? are we the only one?

There seem to be a few European city states (Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) that don't have international airports although they all have international heliports.

 

[straitman]

How does the Royale Airport Shuttle shape up?

It does seem to have limited drop off locations though.

 

[Awesom Andy]

There seem to be a few European city states (Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) that don't have international airports although they all have international heliports.

Now that's getting a little silly... An airport is bigger than it.

 

[harvyk]

The bus system here is actually really good, as it services people in each catchment, not just the major centres of each catchment. So not only does it service Gungahlin, Belconnen, Civic, Woden, and Tuggeranong, but most of their suburbs as well. The only problem areas are new suburbs, but ACTION are always updating their services with these in mind (think Crace, etc).

Not really, I have more options for flights from CBR-SYD than I do buses from my place into the city. 24 flights for CBR-SYD, 34 flights for SYD-CBR, although on checking out the ACTION website I see my options to the city has gone up to 21 buses per day. That said it'd still take me over an hour to do the trip on the bus (and that includes on the "express" buses) which takes about 25 minutes in the car. The only time I've found public transport to be really good was when I was living in Woden, there the bus trip was comparable to a car trip. Everywhere else really did get a raw deal IMHO.

As for international flights to CBR , I don't really mind the transit in SYD on my way out (lets face it, SYD T1 has the much better lounges , and to me it helps build up the excitement), but the trip from MEL \ SYD \ BNE to CBR after an international flight is beyond annoying. (Thank god I earn FF and SC's for it, otherwise I'd probably go insane), so a direct option back to CBR on a decent plane from an INT destination would be good. Of course if all we got as INT options was old B734's and \ or old B767's (which is what such a service is likely to be) where as the option from \ to SYD was with A330's \ B747's \ A380's with all the mod cons which are typically installed on that type, then I'd prob still go via SYD \ MEL rather than take the direct flights (I do that now with PER flights and A330's \ B747's over the direct B734 option)

 

[Boris spatsky]

The buses here are actually really good - you just need to give them a chance.

 

[wingspan]

The buses here are actually really good - you just need to give them a chance.

It must be tough for them because obviously we want to encourage as many people as possible to catch public transport but at the same time, they're just not getting big enough numbers to expand their services. Having said that to get from my place in Belconnen to Civic, I'd rather take a bus anyday. I relish the opportunity to get work done, respond to emails, read my book, etc. I see a trip on a bus as an opportunity to enjoy free time that I wouldn't otherwise be able to use!

 

[Boris spatsky]

Every time i catch a bus to or from work, they are full. Only time they aren't is the middleof the day.

 

[Mattg]

Heard on the radio this morning that there will actually be direct international flights soon (by the end of the year probably), beginning with CBR-WLG, then followed by CBR-AKL and CBR-SIN in the medium term. That's good news, I'm very pleased to hear it.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Did they mention which airlines? CBR-SIN has me intrigued. Who on earth is going to try that sector out - as in, which airline?

 

[elbarto]

No one. I highly doubt sin will get off the ground.


Sent from an Apple iPad wireless device

 

[richie9x]

It all seems a fair way off. There is a press release from the ACT minister. "Canberra’s push for international flights in 2013 will step up this month with the establishment of a taskforce to coordinate our city’s efforts."

Singapore is interesting. I don't think Qantas would be interested, they are more than happy funneling people through Sydney. Likewise I don't think Virgin would be all that interested. Maybe Singapore airlines could be convinced. Perhaps AirNZ could do a WLG-CBR-SIN service in a 767.

 

[Skyring]

It all seems a fair way off. There is a press release from the ACT minister. "Canberra’s push for international flights in 2013 will step up this month with the establishment of a taskforce to coordinate our city’s efforts."

Talk. There's an ACT election later this year and I'd take any announcement of a glorious new future with a grain of salt.

CBR-WLG is the most likely route, I guess. A mix of government and tourist traffic to fill both cabins of a 738. SIN would need a widebody, and how do you find enough passengers to fill it?

More likely, to my mind, are airfreight operations. No curfew in Canberra, as the approach and departure corridors remain largely uninhabited. Upgrade Majura Road out to the Federal Highway, and you've got freeway all the way to Sydney.

 

[Awesom Andy]

A 737-700ER can actually do CBR-SIN. Not that anyone sane would put themselves onto a narrow body for such a flight though.

The only way I can see it happening is SQ doing the run in an A333, connecting to its European services. Even then, I would imagine they need plenty of freight to make it commercially viable.

 

[Isochronous]

CBR-SIN would be surprising but I'd be glad to see it happen.

 

[elbarto]

The only way an airline is going to start CBR-SIN is because they see a strategic opportunity to corner government traffic bound for Europe. But they would have to be prepared to take losses on it.
CBR airport have harped on about international flights for years, but I have laugh when they mention SIN. It's just not going to happen. If CBR had better air links with regional areas, intl flights mights have a better chance.

 

[kamchatsky]

The only way an airline is going to start CBR-SIN is because they see a strategic opportunity to corner government traffic bound for Europe. But they would have to be prepared to take losses on it.
CBR airport have harped on about international flights for years, but I have laugh when they mention SIN. It's just not going to happen. If CBR had better air links with regional areas, intl flights mights have a better chance.

CBR would need to provide free landing and parking slots for who ever flying SIN-CBR, not to mention ACT government subsidies as well.