(TAN): Qantas on July 1 launched two new routes to regional New South Wales (NSW), helping to reboot the local tourism industry’s post-COVID recovery, the airline said in a statement.
The first Qantas flight between Sydney and Byron Bay (Ballina) in 15 years departed on July 1 and the airline’s first ever flights to Orange will start on July 20.
The new routes are part of the gradual ramping up of Qantas and Jetstar domestic flights, which could get up to 40% of pre-coronavirus capacity levels this month. Both routes were originally scheduled to start earlier this year but were delayed due to the pandemic and consequent ravel restrictions.
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QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the recent spike in bookings shows significant pent up demand for Australians to take a holiday after months of lockdown. He said, “As the national carrier, we have an important role to play in driving tourism and reviving the industry that has been devastated by COVID-19…. These additional flights are coming at the right time for families who’ve spent much of the recent months confined to their homes and are looking forward to getting out and exploring their own state.”
“While our business has been challenged like never before by COVID-19, the launch of these flights is another step towards a recovery and getting more of our people back flying again,” he said.
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NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the new services would make it easier than ever for NSW residents to take a country, city or coastal break. “Tourism is a key industry for NSW’s North Coast, the wine region of Orange and our Harbour City, so these new flights will provide a lifeline for local communities, and a critical link for all travellers,” Ayres said.
QantasLink will operate daily return flights between Sydney and Byron Bay (Ballina) with its Q400 aircraft. The flights are in addition to Jetstar’s flights from Melbourne and Sydney.
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The airline will operate three weekly return services between Sydney and Orange on its Q200 aircraft from July 20, with plans to increase frequency later in the year.
Customers now have greater flexibility when they book, with the ability to change the date of their flight once, without paying a change fee. Customers will have to cover any fare increase (if relevant) for the new booking.
