According to an REX spokeswomen, passenger numbers between Griffith and Sydney were up by approximately five per cent in December 2018 as compared to December 2017.

"In the current financial year up until the end of February 2019, total passenger numbers between Griffith and Sydney are approximately six per cent up against the prior year," the REX spokeswoman said.

The increase in flights to and from Griffith has followed the signing of a five year partnership agreement between REX and Griffith City Council last year.

The partnership agreement saw the airline add 17,000 seats annually for flights between Griffith and Sydney.

The agreement also saw REX introduce a new $129 Community Fare flight for 25 per cent of their seats offered for flights between Griffith and Sydney, if booked 30 days before departure.

The fare is also available as last minute bookings for all vacant seats on REX flights between Griffith and Sydney 24 hours before a plane departs.

"The Community Fare was first introduced in September, since then we have seen more than 7,000 passengers travel on the fare," the REX spokeswoman said.

"This represents approximately 20 per cent of all passengers travelling on the route."

Related 

Council economic and organisational development director Shireen Donaldson said council is expecting that the community fare will increase visitation to Griffith to and from friends and family in Sydney, and around holiday seasons.

"This will make Griffith a more achievable weekend or holiday period destination as travel time is significantly reduced by flying and the Community Fare now increases the affordability of air travel," Mrs Donaldson said.

Ms Donaldson said Griffith has also been benefiting from a new REX flight available to and from Broken Hill, which gives residents the option to take a connecting flight to and from Adelaide.

"Agencies who have service areas covering both Griffith and Broken Hill, have welcomed the opportunity to be able to fly between the two cities," Mrs Donaldson said.

"We expect businesses who operate in both Griffith and Adelaide will take advantage of this option to travel to Adelaide as well as this being an option for those wishing to travel to Adelaide for other reasons."

"Council's Tourism Team are currently investigating opportunities to create tourism experiences and packages that incorporate Broken Hill and Griffith."

Council tourism manager Mirella Guidolin said the Community Fare option is provided in marketing material that is produced for Sydney and Adelaide.

"However, travel arrangement options to Griffith may or may not be included depending on the type of media being circulated," Ms Guidolin said. 

DO YOU WANT MORE GRIFFITH NEWS?

Receive our free newsletter delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Sign up here.