For as little as $128 one way you can land in the big smoke in just under two hours from wheels up. Without the drive, bus or train, without the traffic jams and the tired, frustrated flyers.

The benefits of the direct link have been extolled: good for business, good for tourism,

Read more: New service to fly Bendigo to Sydney six days a week

QantasLink chief executive John Gissing said:  “Direct flights will offer a more convenient way to do business in Sydney, saving travellers around four hours driving time on a round trip instead of flying via Melbourne.”

The case for a direct flight have been debated for years. V/Line links and proximity to Tullamarine, with its discount airlines and cheap fares, have been cited as reasons for Bendigo’s lack of direct services.

In 2016 Qantas, Virgin, Regional Express (Rex) and FlyPelican all said they had no plans to fly to Bendigo.

In the years since the council has worked to upgrade the airport facilities and argued Bendigo’s case for flight links. Bendigo Mayor, Councillor Margaret O’Rourke, said at the announcement: “Eighteen months on from unveiling our new 1600m runway, we have achieved what we set out to do.”

There is still work to be done. Still more hurdles to clear before its potential is realised. The Qantas commitment is a vote of confidence in the airport’s future.  If the fares –  tallying up the cost of travel to Melbourne onwards, parking and flights –  are equal to or less than currently being paid then it should succeed. Like other “shop local” campaigns, if we support it it has a greater chance of success.

This is the first step a new journey for the airport, which is still in the running to be home to the second of Qantas’ new pilot training schools.  Let’s hope that Monday’s announcement is a precursor of more good news on the way.

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