Almost everyone Ms Curry knows in Broome has taken advantage of the four-hour flights to Singapore.
The seasonal service started in June 2024, flying twice a week before pausing in October 2024 ahead of the cyclone season.
The service restarted in April. Now, its abrupt end means that Broome residents hoping to travel abroad must once again fly more than two-and-a-half hours to Perth, and transit there.
“It adds cost, time and complexity, which limits international travel and business growth,” said Ms Curry, who runs her own marketing and consultancy firm.
The people of Broome are “devastated” the route is being cut off, because they have worked hard to market themselves as a tourist destination, she said.
Ms Mel Virgo, the general manager of Broome Visitor Centre, agreed the loss of the route would highly impact the local community, as many have invested in marketing themselves to visitors.
“It comes during what has already been a challenging start to the season for tourism businesses across the region,” she said.
Ms Curry’s own marketing work was boosted by the route as Broome businesses sought to target the Asian market. She was also starting to build connections with travel wholesalers in Singapore.
“That’s all up in the air now. With no direct flight, it’s harder and more expensive for tourists and I’m unsure if those packages will go ahead,” she said.
