The Hamilton-based company which operates regular flights out of Hamilton and Portland made a brief foray into the Warrnambool airport in 2007, but withdrew because of poor patronage as did other previous operators since the 1960s.

Warrnambool City and Moyne Shire councils have listed resumption of commuter air services as a major target in their new economic development and investment strategy.

Company managing director Malcolm Sharp told The Standard this week Warrnambool was still on its radar.

"We are interested, but it would be subject to Warrnambool/Moyne securing one of these larger projects to get the critical mass of people we need," he said.

At least four major wind farms, two more gas-fired power stations, a geothermal power station and two ocean-based power stations have been planned for the south-west in the next decade with anticipated construction workforces of several hundred.

Warrnambool aviation charter operator Tony Frank welcomed Sharp's renewed interest.

"We are getting a constant number of calls inquiring about flights to Melbourne," he said.

"Unfortunately we can only offer the hire of a whole aircraft at a minimum cost of $900 for three seats."

Warrnambool's mayor Michael Neoh said resumption of regular commuter flights would be good for the city.

"There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that company representatives from interstate would have preferred to have flown into Warrnambool," he said.

"Our long term plan is to extend and strengthen the main runway with government support to larger planes can land.

"Maybe with a state election coming that support may come earlier."

Sharp runs flights out of Portland to Avalon, Essendon and Adelaide plus from Hamilton to Essendon.

Ansett ran a regular Warrnambool service in the 1960s and 70s and ceased in 1981.

Kendell Airlines picked up the market in 1982 with a 19-seat Metroliner offering up to six services a day until 1985 until it proved uneconomic.

Other operators looked at the market, but also found it was not a viable business.