10 December 2009
Jetstar's announcement of up to 63 new flights per week into Queensland would add more than 10,000 weekly seats directly into the state's holiday destinations, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said.
Mr Lawlor said the new flights into Cairns, Townsville, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast would launch between March and July next year following Jetstar's acquisition of four new A320.
"Brisbane will also benefit as Jetstar upgrades seasonal Launceston-Brisbane flights to operate permanently throughout the year," Mr Lawlor said.
"Townsville will now receive daily flights from Melbourne with Jetstar adding four additional weekly flights to its schedule.
"I'm delighted that Queensland has received the lion's share of Jetstar's expansion to Australian leisure destinations.
"This announcement is great news for Queensland and testimony to Jetstar's confidence in our tourism industry."
Mr Lawlor said Jetstar's additional flights to Queenslan d's destinations would come from cities all over Australia in the airline's biggest expansion since its inception in 2004.
"Cairns will receive 17 new flights per week from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, adding just over 3000 weekly seats into Tropical North Queensland," he said.
"On the Gold Coast, Jetstar will add up to 10 weekly flights from Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney, adding 2500 weekly seats.
"The Sunshine Coast will also benefit from an additional 10 services from Sydney and Melbourne, with more than 1700 additional weekly seats."
Tourism Queensland Acting CEO Steve McRoberts said Jetstar's new air services would make it easier than ever for holidaymakers from across Australia to access Queensland destinations.
"In Cairns, there will be two flights per day from Melbourne; the Gold Coast will see eight flights per day from Melbourne; and the Sunshine Coast will receive four daily flights from Sydney," Mr McRoberts said.
"This is great news for the state's tourism operators who have had one of the toughest years ever.
"Tourism Queensland will continue marketing our destinations to ensure potential holidaymakers are aware just how easy it is to take a Queensland holiday."
