Dubbo acting mayor Stephen Lawrence said it was likely to have a "pretty small impact, if any," on overall passengers numbers at Dubbo's airport.

The councillor played down the significance of an extra 45,000 seats each year on the new QantasLink route, to launch on May 1.

Cr Lawrence said Orange was not likely to overtake Dubbo as the major port for western NSW, citing Dubbo's "geography and population size and routes.

"We also have a very good operation out at the airport as was recognised last year when we won regional airport of the year," he said.

Dubbo Regional Council operates the city's airport, which has added routes and grown passenger numbers in recent years.

However, fares to Orange will be slightly cheaper.

For its new route, QantasLink offered an introductory sale price of $129 one-way for bookings until February 17, and then a lead-in price of $179.

On May 1 when flights to Orange start the cheapest flights available between Sydney and Dubbo are $187 one-way on one flight but the others are $218-$381, according to the Qantas website this week.

Cr Lawrence said it was unlikely Dubbo residents would chase prices and flight options by driving to and from Orange to meet flights at Orange Regional Airport.

He said Orange was a "considerable drive away."

Cr Lawrence said he did not believe it would be a "realistic option" for business travellers from Dubbo.

He said some other travellers may be influenced by prices, but he did not expect it would be the main factor.

"Unless you saw very significant differences [in prices] most people are going to be driven by convenience, in other words distance and time," he said.

Cr Lawrence said the council would continue to "invest in an appropriate and sensible and strategic way" in its facility.

He cited works taking place on the airport apron, in addition to runway strengthening and other improvements previously.

"So we'll continue to invest in the airport in a sensible and appropriate way," he said.