Regional air routes across Australia are being cut as airlines respond to soaring fuel costs — but Ballina has, for now, avoided the axe.

The Qantas Group has confirmed it will reduce domestic capacity by five per cent between April and June, as it absorbs an $800 million spike in fuel prices.

Routes to destinations including Coffs Harbour, Busselton, the Gold Coast and Darwin have been reduced or suspended.

Despite the national pullback by the Qantas Group, flights in and out of Ballina continue to schedule.

The airport remains serviced by QantasLink turboprop flights to Sydney, along with Jetstar services to Sydney and Melbourne.

Mayor upbeat

Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said she remained confident proposed new Jetstar flights to Adelaide — and expanded Melbourne services — would still go ahead.

She acknowledged there could be delays due to the current fuel crisis, but said the long-term outlook remained strong.

“We’re seeing demand from well beyond Ballina,” Cr Cadwallader said.

“People are driving from as far as Coffs Harbour because they want the convenience and economy this airport offers.”

She said that broader catchment was key to securing new routes.

“That’s why we’re confident additional services will succeed.”

Council backs growth

Deputy Mayor Damian Loone also backed continued investment, pointing to growing demand and congestion at peak times.

“It was chock-a-block — even on a Sunday morning,” Cr Loone said, recalling a recent visit to the airport.

“With a direct Adelaide flight, you’ll see even more people coming from outside the area. That’s why the upgrades are needed.”

The comments come as council signed off on its long-term financial plan for the airport at its Finance Committee meeting on Monday night.

Council is forecasting a $3.642 million cash operating surplus for its major asset in 2026/27.

Ballina Shire Council’s reports show passenger numbers have “plateaued” around the level of 600,000 people annually, although the airport operator admits the terminal is overcrowded at peak periods.

Planned upgrades for the next financial year include expanded parking and drainage improvements, while longer-term works include a terminal expansion and an additional aircraft bay.

Mayor Cadwallader said she’d be seeking state and federal government support for some of the big ticket items, although council has not been successful in obtaining such funding over the past five years.

Support — with reservations

The plan was formally moved by Cr Therese Crollick — but not without hesitation.

While backing the airport’s long-term financial plan, Cr Crollick used the debate to question whether further investment was justified.

“I’m not sure expanding the car park will actually increase our revenue,” she said.

“A lot of people don’t park because they don’t want to pay — they park at the Homemaker Centre and walk.”

Car parking is typically one of the biggest revenue drivers for commercial airports, and Ballina’s existing car park is frequently at capacity, forcing travellers to seek alternatives nearby.

Cr Crollick argued the airport was already costly to run and warned council needed to be cautious.

“I think we need to be very prudent in the amount of money that we do actually spend.”

She also suggested the terminal was largely “fit for purpose” outside peak holiday periods.

“A very small proportion of the population here probably use that airport on a regular basis,” she said.

Balancing act

Other councillors pushed back, describing the airport as a critical economic driver that supports tourism and regional growth.

The long-term plan shows the airport is profitable, but also highlights risks — including reliance on a small number of airlines and the need for grant funding to deliver major upgrades.

Unlike many council-owned assets, profits from the airport are reinvested back into its operations and infrastructure, with the facility paying a cash dividend to ratepayers only once in its 40-year history.

UPDATE: Virgin Australia has today joined Qantas Group in announcing flight cuts in response to the fuel crisis.

Virgin says the cuts will apply mostly to low-demand flights where passengers can be moved to other services on the same day.

Outside peak holiday periods, Ballina is only serviced by one Sydney return VA flight daily, which is heavily booked.  It is therefore not expected to be affected.