Lismore Regional Airport is one of those Lismore City Council (LCC) assets that offers so much potential but has never quite lived up to the hype, a bit like a talented sportsperson not willing to do the hard work.

The LCC 2021/22 budget numbers for the airport were worrying with a $785,000 loss. It should be noted COVID has not helped the situation with travel virtually stopped for an extended period. The airport is one of those assets, and there a few like the quarry and waste, that suck money out of the bottom line leaving council with not a lot of options to build a stronger future.

This is an area that Mayor Steve Krieg and General Manager John Walker are focusing on during this term in office. How can they make Lismore Regional Airport into a profitable asset that increases the financial benefit to the city at the same time.

Mayor Krieg said the airport currently generates more than $26 million annually for the local economy and directly creates 57 jobs, in addition to 26 indirect jobs.

This morning Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan announced a $300,000 project to construct an aircraft run-up bay. This is on top of the $4.47 million Mr Hogan secured to upgrade the airport infrastructure to allow for new aircraft landing systems.

"Lismore's airport is an exceptionally important regional airport," Mr Hogan said, "We are committed as a Federal Government to LCC to help them support the infrastructure upgrades this airport."

"This upgrade will reduce runway congestion, improving the airport capacity and general safety on the runway."

“Our airport is used for pilot training, freight and charter operations, emergency medical transfers, search and rescue and bushfire fighting services, recreational flights, and public transport.”

“This upgrade will provide a specific area for aircraft engine run-ups and flight control checks prior to aircraft taking off.”

Mayor Steve Krieg mentioned that as a regional city having a regional airport is important to the future and growth of Lismore, "It is our plan and our goal to develop Lismore as a regional hub. We've got big plans and it is about putting those plans into action."

Those plans will not be like those of our neighbour Ballina with their airport the main hub for tourist passenger traffic like Coffs Harbour. The Mayor said council has "different plans" for the Lismore Airport.

"We do hope to attract other commercial flyers and travellers but we are also planning on making this a regional transportation hub for things like freight and corporate."

While moving in a different direction, the Mayor did say LCC still wanted to see commercial flights out of Lismore through the likes of REX, Qantas Link and Pelican airlines. Pre-Covid Lismore Airport catered for more than 12,000 flights annually.

The Federal Government Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) has helped the airlines survive throughout COVID-19 and kept regional airlines flying to destinations like Grafton and Lismore. RANS will end on the 31st March and presently you cannot make a booking on REX in April, there is a real possibility of Lismore being without an airline in the short term while discussions are held.

Mr Hogan said he feels the government does need to extend the program and he is in negotiations with them, "An announcement whether this will be going ahead will be made very soon but the funding cannot go on forever."

Mayor Krieg is committed to passenger flights coming out of Lismore, "Passenger flights are essential for an airport in my opinion," he said, "And I appreciate any help the federal and state government can give us to keep routes in here."

The goal is set: a busier Lismore Airport with passenger, freight and corporate operations as well as pilot training bringing money into our city that leads to growth.

Now, we watch, wait and see if the new council can deliver where other councils have failed.