SYDNEY, Australia, 2014-9-23 — /Travel PR News/ — QantasLink today announced it will start direct flights between Brisbane and Hamilton Island, giving customers more travel options on its expanding network.
From 28 November, QantasLink will operate four return services per week – on Fridays to Mondays – on its 74 seat Q400 aircraft, which is ideally suited to the route.
QantasLink Chief Executive Officer John Gissing said this was great news for customers and Whitsunday tourism.
“This is great news for our customers, especially in the lead up to the summer months when we know people are planning holidays,” Mr Gissing said.
“This is also great news for tourism and The Whitsunday’s 74 tropical islands, including the renowned Hamilton Island and the ultra-luxury One&Only Hayman Island.
“Hamilton Island, and the wider Whitsunday region, is a fantastic holiday destination and we’re very excited to be giving our customers a direct premium service from Brisbane.”
Queensland Tourism Minister, Jann Stuckey praised the announcement.
“QantasLink’s commitment to direct flights between Brisbane and Hamilton Island is a major coup for tourism operators and aligns with the Queensland Aviation Blueprint to 2016,” said Minister Stuckey.
“The Newman Government is dedicated to increasing access to Queensland’s key tourism markets which will in turn grow overnight visitor expenditure.”
Hamilton Island Chief Executive Officer Glenn Bourke said he was delighted that QantasLink was starting a direct service from Brisbane.
“Having celebrated the return of Qantas to the Island in July, we are delighted to welcome the additional QantasLink Brisbane – Hamilton Island service to compliment the current Qantas Sydney – Hamilton Island route,” Mr Bourke said.
“Given the growth and high occupancy levels we’ve experienced on Hamilton Island over the last two years, we’re confident we will be able to provide the load factor to ensure the route is successful and commercially viable for the Qantas Group.
“We recognise that Hamilton Island is not only a popular Great Barrier Reef holiday destination but also a crucial commuter hub. This additional Qantas service is a positive development for the region and will provide increased flexibility for those travelling from mainland Queensland to the Whitsundays.
To celebrate the new route, QantasLink is offering special sale fares of $79 one way, for travel between 28 November to 30 June 2015. Sale ends 1 October 2014
The Qantas Group offers 40 return services a week to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns.
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