TOOWOOMBA has moved a step closer to the world after the largest civil aircraft to land at the city’s airport touched down yesterday.

Representatives from Skytrans, the Cairns-based airline that currently operates passenger flights out of Toowoomba, arrived in the Garden City aboard a new $5.5 million Dash-8 300.

They were in town to speak with Mayor Peter Taylor and CEO Ken Gouldthorp about expanding Skytrans’ flights out of Toowoomba.

The Dash-8 300, which seats 50, would be the aircraft to provide the long-awaited flights to Sydney.

Its landing in Toowoomba was only possible due to the recent $10 million upgrade of the airport.

Cr Taylor said that while the interstate flights were a priority, they did not dominate talks with Skytrans representatives.

“We also needed to speak with Skytrans to ensure there are any changes we need to make to the airport upgrade.”

Skytrans commercial manager Steve Jones said community support was imperative to making passenger flights to Sydney viable.

“We’re here to further our discussions,” he said.

“There is a lot of research to go into it before the final decision is made

“At the end of the day, it needs to be a decision made carefully.

“It has to be viable otherwise the flights stop again.”

Engineering services spokeswoman Cr Carol Taylor said yesterday’s arrival of the Dash-8 300 was a milestone for the airport upgrade.

“This is something that is going to benefit almost everyone in the community,” she said.

“If we can get a connection to Sydney, we’ll have a connection to the world.”