Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now continuing the discussion of course about BONDSA entering the
territory and offering those direct flights well to a number
of locations and joining us live on the line. Tourism
Central Australia's CEO, Daniel Rochford, Good morning to you, Daniel.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning Katie in good morning to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Mate. What was your reaction to this news of BONSA
entering the market and those direct flights to Alice, Well,
from Alice to Melbourne.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I think you can fatfully say I've got the biggest
smile in all of the Northern Territory yesterday and this morning.
This is bloody awesome news for Central Australia. You and
I've talked about for the last few years of many
challenges that we as an industry and as a community
have had to face, and this is the best early
(00:49):
Christmas gift that Central Australia to be given.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Now talk us through what this is going to mean
for tourism in Alice Springs.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Well, this is going to put one hundred and thirty
nine dollars airfare on the table to people in Victoria
to be able to come up for a holiday in
Central Australia. But also, as we've talked about quite strongly,
we've been long advocating about the impact that high airfares
(01:22):
have been having on the livability of Alice Springs and
this is something that we at TCO have been championing.
And look, we think having a new option through these
bonds of flights is just going to be such an
extra special importance for our community. In fact, I've been
overwhelmed by the messages. I really just cannot put it
(01:44):
in words, Katie, on how important this is for us.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
So tell me, you know, what are people saying on
the ground today. Are people pretty excited, like I know
on our text line this morning and even on Facebook
social media people ringing in to say that they're happy,
as are the saying in Alice.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Overwhelming positivity, Katie, which that's.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Something we don't often see in Orangs. I think we
were all collectively doing cartwheels down the todd More as
a town because you know, it has been difficult a
few years and you know we've had our challenges, and
you know, to have positive news like this is just
(02:28):
something so.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Special and I want to just make sure that it's
on the public record to thank the Northern Territory government
to thank the Airport Development Group and to thank Bonds
of Airlines. A lot of good people have worked really
hard to make this happen and I just want to
give them a shout out.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, look, I agree. I'm always very quick to give
the government a kick when they deserve it, but on
this one, I think well done that they've been able
to make this happen. I guess the concern that all
of us have got done, youell, is that you know,
we've seen our lives lies come and go at different times,
and we want to make sure that there is absolute
longevity when we talk about bonds up.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah, and look over I'm sharing that concern as well. Look,
when you've got one hundred and thirty nine dollars leading fair,
that question is a question for the people of Alice
Springs of Darwin. We all now need to collectively back
this airline and to support these these seats, and when
(03:30):
we collectively support it, that will see the sustainability of
the air services for a long time to come. And
you know, I think Tim Jordan was also talking on
radio down here this morning as well. If he sees
our communities and it's the same with Darwel and I'm
sure if he sees that support, you know, that gives
(03:50):
the airline more of a reason to start looking at
increasing capacity or looking at new routes, which is just
going to be a great thing for our region, and
that it really supercharges that competition which we've been long
advocating for.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Daniel, is it time for you to start cart wheeling
down the Todd Mare, Yes.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Yes it is.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
I think I should put the challenge out that Mayor
Matt Patterson and I should have don some purple budgy
smugglers and we should go cart wheeling down the tod
Mall because this is bloody awesome for Central Australia, bloody
awesome for Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
The tourists might not come back if they see that happening.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
That is a very good thought though, because it is
my job to attract or if not to detract.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Oh well, we're about to catch up with Alex Bruce
as well to find out, you know, how this is
going to help hospitality, so I'll be keen to hear
what he thinks about you donning the budgy smugglers and
cart wheeling down the mall. I think that's going to
be hilarious.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
I think mister Bruce is on a joint ticket with
Cca on this and I think i'd like, I think
the world needs to see his face white leak as well.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
I don't know if they do. I really don't think
they do.
Speaker 5 (05:19):
Yeah, I think you and I have talked to him
for over three years, and you know, we've shared our
challenges and issues, and I know there's still many issues
that we're facing down.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
But you know, it is nice to have some great news,
isn't it.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah, it really is. And you know, I think that's
how everybody's sort of feeling today. And we've always, you know,
like all of us have always got that bit of
skepticism or that bit of concern. But this is some
good news and it is wonderful to hear. And from
what Tim had said to us as well, you know,
just a little while ago, they're sort of looking at
at how this goes and what other routes they might
(05:55):
be able to, you know, to open up, and that
in itself is positive positive thing.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Indeed, I've been really impressed by Bondso they've certainly been
a disruptor into the Australian aviation market, and you know,
they've really worked hard to support regional communities and the
feedback I get from my counterparts in regions in New
South Wales and Queen Plans is they've been absolute. And
(06:25):
I know we bandy around the term game changer all
the time, but they have been game changes for not
only the tourism industries of those destinations, but also the
community just to be able to you know, one of
the challenges we've had here analysis just to get away
for the weekend to go and see family and friends
has just been so cost prohibitive that we haven't done that,
(06:45):
and to be able to link friends and family back.
It just people have just been saying to me in
the last twenty four hours how special that will be,
just to be able to reconnect.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, it is certainly good news, a good news story.
Daniel Rochford, It is always good to catch up with you.
Thank you so very much for your time, and make
sure you stay listening because we're going to catch up
with Alex Bruce and ask we'll find out whether he's
going to put those budget smugglers on.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
I think I think it's a matter of he must
put them on.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Thank Katie, thank you,
Now continuing the discussion of course about BONDSA entering the
territory and offering those direct flights well to a number
of locations and joining us live on the line. Tourism
Central Australia's CEO, Daniel Rochford, Good morning to you, Daniel.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning Katie in good morning to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Mate. What was your reaction to this news of BONSA
entering the market and those direct flights to Alice, Well,
from Alice to Melbourne.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I think you can fatfully say I've got the biggest
smile in all of the Northern Territory yesterday and this morning.
This is bloody awesome news for Central Australia. You and
I've talked about for the last few years of many
challenges that we as an industry and as a community
have had to face, and this is the best early
(00:49):
Christmas gift that Central Australia to be given.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Now talk us through what this is going to mean
for tourism in Alice Springs.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Well, this is going to put one hundred and thirty
nine dollars airfare on the table to people in Victoria
to be able to come up for a holiday in
Central Australia. But also, as we've talked about quite strongly,
we've been long advocating about the impact that high airfares
(01:22):
have been having on the livability of Alice Springs and
this is something that we at TCO have been championing.
And look, we think having a new option through these
bonds of flights is just going to be such an
extra special importance for our community. In fact, I've been
overwhelmed by the messages. I really just cannot put it
(01:44):
in words, Katie, on how important this is for us.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
So tell me, you know, what are people saying on
the ground today. Are people pretty excited, like I know
on our text line this morning and even on Facebook
social media people ringing in to say that they're happy,
as are the saying in Alice.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Overwhelming positivity, Katie, which that's.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Something we don't often see in Orangs. I think we
were all collectively doing cartwheels down the todd More as
a town because you know, it has been difficult a
few years and you know we've had our challenges, and
you know, to have positive news like this is just
(02:28):
something so.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Special and I want to just make sure that it's
on the public record to thank the Northern Territory government
to thank the Airport Development Group and to thank Bonds
of Airlines. A lot of good people have worked really
hard to make this happen and I just want to
give them a shout out.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, look, I agree. I'm always very quick to give
the government a kick when they deserve it, but on
this one, I think well done that they've been able
to make this happen. I guess the concern that all
of us have got done, youell, is that you know,
we've seen our lives lies come and go at different times,
and we want to make sure that there is absolute
longevity when we talk about bonds up.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah, and look over I'm sharing that concern as well. Look,
when you've got one hundred and thirty nine dollars leading fair,
that question is a question for the people of Alice
Springs of Darwin. We all now need to collectively back
this airline and to support these these seats, and when
(03:30):
we collectively support it, that will see the sustainability of
the air services for a long time to come. And
you know, I think Tim Jordan was also talking on
radio down here this morning as well. If he sees
our communities and it's the same with Darwel and I'm
sure if he sees that support, you know, that gives
(03:50):
the airline more of a reason to start looking at
increasing capacity or looking at new routes, which is just
going to be a great thing for our region, and
that it really supercharges that competition which we've been long
advocating for.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Daniel, is it time for you to start cart wheeling
down the Todd Mare, Yes.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Yes it is.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
I think I should put the challenge out that Mayor
Matt Patterson and I should have don some purple budgy
smugglers and we should go cart wheeling down the tod
Mall because this is bloody awesome for Central Australia, bloody
awesome for Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
The tourists might not come back if they see that happening.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
That is a very good thought though, because it is
my job to attract or if not to detract.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Oh well, we're about to catch up with Alex Bruce
as well to find out, you know, how this is
going to help hospitality, so I'll be keen to hear
what he thinks about you donning the budgy smugglers and
cart wheeling down the mall. I think that's going to
be hilarious.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
I think mister Bruce is on a joint ticket with
Cca on this and I think i'd like, I think
the world needs to see his face white leak as well.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
I don't know if they do. I really don't think
they do.
Speaker 5 (05:19):
Yeah, I think you and I have talked to him
for over three years, and you know, we've shared our
challenges and issues, and I know there's still many issues
that we're facing down.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
But you know, it is nice to have some great news,
isn't it.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah, it really is. And you know, I think that's
how everybody's sort of feeling today. And we've always, you know,
like all of us have always got that bit of
skepticism or that bit of concern. But this is some
good news and it is wonderful to hear. And from
what Tim had said to us as well, you know,
just a little while ago, they're sort of looking at
at how this goes and what other routes they might
(05:55):
be able to, you know, to open up, and that
in itself is positive positive thing.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Indeed, I've been really impressed by Bondso they've certainly been
a disruptor into the Australian aviation market, and you know,
they've really worked hard to support regional communities and the
feedback I get from my counterparts in regions in New
South Wales and Queen Plans is they've been absolute. And
(06:25):
I know we bandy around the term game changer all
the time, but they have been game changes for not
only the tourism industries of those destinations, but also the
community just to be able to you know, one of
the challenges we've had here analysis just to get away
for the weekend to go and see family and friends
has just been so cost prohibitive that we haven't done that,
(06:45):
and to be able to link friends and family back.
It just people have just been saying to me in
the last twenty four hours how special that will be,
just to be able to reconnect.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, it is certainly good news, a good news story.
Daniel Rochford, It is always good to catch up with you.
Thank you so very much for your time, and make
sure you stay listening because we're going to catch up
with Alex Bruce and ask we'll find out whether he's
going to put those budget smugglers on.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
I think I think it's a matter of he must
put them on.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Thank Katie, thank you,
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