With their latest survey, the Far North West Joint Organisation of Councils (FNWJO) wants to draw attention to the crucial role western air services in Bourke, Cobar, Lightning Ridge, and Walgett play in keeping people in the bush connected.

After six years of funding from the NSW government, no further funding has been secured past late November 2025. 

The last round of funding included $2 million in September last year. 

Airlink services Bourke, Lightning Ridge, and Walgett to Dubbo while Air Pelican services Cobar to Sydney. 

In February, Air Pelican expanded their services in Cobar. 

"We're doing an assessment now to see how it's going and it looks like the route is well patronised," Ross Earl, FNWJO Executive Officer said. 

The survey closed on Monday 24 March. 

The FNWJO will present the NSW Government's Department of Regional NSW with the results of the survey to demonstrate the importance of future investment in regional services. 

"We'd like to make sure that people are aware of the importance of connectivity in regional areas and the huge distances," Mr Earl said.

Ross Earl became the head of the FNSWJO in 2021.

Mr Earl said with the federal government allocating $130 million in secured loans for Rex Airlines, the government sees the need for reliable air transport to remote areas. 

"We need good air services as well as good services on the ground, including lightning and terminals." 

Questions included the purpose of travel, frequency of use, quality of service, as well as why respondents may not yet have used western air services. 

"We’re looking at the service to make sure that they meet the needs of all people who use them currently and people who haven't used them because there may be a good reason for that," Mr Earl said. 

The final report on the survey is expected to be presented at the end of April.