Hotel owner proposes seaplane service from Sydney’s Rose Bay to Cessnock

A private hotel owner is planning to operate charter services between Sydney and the NSW Hunter Valley with a six-seater Lake seaplane.

Jerry Schwartz, the owner of the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Crowne Plaza Newcastle and Novotel Newcastle, has launched Blue Sky Airlines, which plans to launch in October with flights from Sydney’s Rose Bay to Cessnock Airport.

The flights, which will operate from Fridays to Mondays, will be operated by a Lake Sea Fury LA250, Blue Sky said.

Dr Schwartz said Blue Sky would look to tap into demand from travellers to the Hunter Valley who did not want to make the two and a half hour journey by car from Sydney.

“The Hunter Valley may be one of Australia’s oldest and most famous wine regions, but in recent years it has been left behind as a tourist destination, and direct flights are one way to elevate its profile and status,” Dr Schwartz said.

“At the moment, the Hunter Valley is missing out because it doesn’t have the services to meet the demands of discerning travellers.”