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Chapter 2 | Historical trends in regional aviation2.1.2 State levelNew South WalesOverall, the number of passenger movements at regional airports in New SouthWales increased from 1.7 million in 1984 to 2.8 million in 2005 (Figure 2.8). The annualaverage growth rate was 0.7 per cent over the period 1984 to 1988. It increased to 7.6per cent for 1991 to 1995, slowed down to 4.6 per cent for 1995 to 2000 and 3.3 percent for 2000 to 2005 (Figure 2.22). The entry into the Australian market of Virgin Bluein 2000, Regional Express (REX, a merger of former Ansett subsidiaries of Kendell andHazelton Airlines) in 2002 and Jetstar (Qantas’ new low-cost subsidiary) in 2003 haveadded more air services at regional airports in New South Wales. Additional servicesfrom these airlines contributed greatly to the overall growth in passenger travel overthe past few years.Figure 2.8 shows that there used to be more regional airports served by airlines inNew South Wales between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. The number of regionalairports served by airlines was reasonably stable during the late 1990s, but has sinceexperienced a further decline. In 2000, air services ceased to several regional airports(Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, Scone and Singleton) as a result of the suspension ofYanda Airlines following a safety incident. The airline subsequently ceased operation.Nine regional airports, which recorded activity in 2001, ceased to show any activityFigure 2.8 Passenger movements and number of regional airports served inNew South Wales, 1984 to 20054.0803.570Passenger movements (millions)3.02.52.01.51.00.50.0Source:5756198419855556571986198719885754Regional airports servedBITRE time series estimates.555556561989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004Passenger movements at regional airportsin 2002. Most of these airports were located in inner and outer regional Australia. Ofthe nine regional airports, air services from West Wyalong, Cootamundra, Cowra,Young and Forbes were discontinued upon the cessation of operations by CountryConnection Airlines in 2001. Hazelton Airlines, which had been the only airlineserving Casino since 1992, ceased its operation in 2001. Kempsey was served byImpulse Airlines (which merged with Qantas in 2001) between 1992 and 2001. This524950494949433434353520056050403020100Number of airports served25