Qantas today announced it has formally applied to operate on the Moree – Sydney route, under the NSW Government’s five-year regulated route licensing agreement.

QantasLink Chief Executive Officer John Gissing travelled to Moree to make the announcement and thank the community for all its support campaigning to encourage Qantas to return.

“I’m delighted to announce that we have submitted a competitive tender to operate on the Moree – Sydney route,” said Mr Gissing.

“The community support for Qantas over the past couple of months has been truly overwhelming. While our decision to apply on the route was a commercial one, the community’s efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“As the national carrier and the country’s largest regional airline, we understand the importance of reliable air travel for regional communities, like Moree.

“QantasLink proudly served the Moree community for 21 years up until March last year, and we know a lot of people were delighted when we returned temporarily a couple of months ago.”

Qantas launched immediate short-term relief flights for the Moree community before Christmas last year, following the collapse of Brindabella Airlines, which serviced the regulated route from March 2013.

Qantas is currently operating two daily return services until 21 March 2014, when the interim period ends and the five-year regulated route license agreement commences.

Transport for NSW will make its decision on which airline will be granted the license to operate on the route in the coming weeks