Tourism trial takes off as 1000 people book seats

THE advent of direct flights between Hobart and the Bass Strait islands has been declared a success with strong advance bookings.

The inaugural flights between the state capital and Flinders and King islands lifted off on Wednesday.

Sharp Airlines managing director and chief pilot Malcolm Sharp said demand for the new services had exceeded his expectations.

“With over 1000 bookings now, to be honest with you, we’re very, very chuffed about that — it’s certainly been a great start,” he said.

As well as being a boon for tourism, the flights also made travel easier for islanders, he said.

“People would typically have to fly out of the islands to Melbourne to get to Hobart. The people this morning that flew down from King Island, it was under a one-hour flight and we flew people out this morning that were business and health professionals, so it’ ll certainly help in a lot of ways to support the communities of King and Flinders.”

Sharp Airlines will be operating three services a week on Wednesdays, Friday sand Sundays between Hobart and both Flinders and King Islands.

The Tasmanian government is supporting these services for an initial 18-week trial, underwriting the services until the end of January at an estimated cost of $225,000.

Premier Peter Gutwein was at Hobart Airport to see the first flight off.

“Today we’ve had the first flight in from King Island and a little later we’re going to see the first flight out to Flinders Island,”hesaid.

“This is going to be a boon for the two islands in terms of tourists and, importantly, for theireconomy.

“We’ve had to pivot during COVID but this is one of the very, very sensible and positive outcomes that’s come out of it, improving access to the islands and sharing with Tasmanians — and Hobartians especially

—the jewel sin the crown that are Flinders and King Island .”

Assistant federal Regional Tourism Minister Jonathon Duniam said helping to rebuild the state economy was important for the federal government.

He said the big boost in tourism funding in the federal budget would go along way to assist industry recovery.

“We’ll be partnering with the state of Tasmania, local government authorities and peak industry groups to support the economic priorities for the state,” he said.

WITH OVER 1000 BOOKINGS NOW, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WE’RE VERY, VERY CHUFFED.

MALCOLM SHARP, SHARP AIRLINES