HUNDREDS of Moree district residents converged on the regional airport on January 21 with a simple message for an incoming Qantas flight: "Thank you - please stay."
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A sea of locals dressed in the company's iconic red and white colours brandished placards and banners thanking Qantas.
The rally coincided with the arrival of the morning flight Qantas is providing on a temporary basis following the financial collapse of Brindabella Airlines late last year, which left the town without an air service.
Moree Community Airline Group spokesman Josh McGregor said the response was overwhelming.
"We really had no idea how many would turn up on the day although we knew the community felt very strongly about wanting Qantas to put in a tender for the Moree licence. In the end the response from the town was exactly what we hoped for.
"We now just hope Qantas hears our message about how important they are to us and how much this town needs them."
