AIRLINES REV UP ROUTES
Sunnier skies on the horizon as Qantas and Jetstar lock in 11 flights around state
JUST two days after new cheap flights were announced for the Whitsundays, the Far North has landed good aviation news of its own.
Qantas and Jetstar will resume 11 flights with nine jetting from the capital in time for the July school break.
In addition to direct flights from Brisbane, Qantas will fly from Cairns to Weipa, Townsville and Horn Island.
The accouncement has business and tourism stakeholders, desperate for borders to reopen for the southern states’ school holidays, cheering.
Cairns Airport CEO Norris Carter said there was pent-up demand for flights.
“The whole country has cabin fever and wants to get out and about,” Mr Carter said.
It comes as hoteliers and tour operators learn how to ease back into operation when the State Government issues its new tourism COVID-safe industry plan.
REINSTATED Qantas and Jetstar flights to Cairns have business and tourist figures cheering, but there is a long way to go.
The national carrier and its budget offshoot will be flying a total of nine weekly flights to the Far North from the state capital in time for the July school break.
Prices for a one-way ticket with Qantas in mid-June range between $580 and $688 but settle down to between $160 and $213 in time for the Queensland holidays.
Jetstar flights, while far cheaper, are three times a week, half the frequency of the flagship.
Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Sally Mlikota said the “small boost” was welcomed in the business sector.
“The economy is going to take more than a few extra flights to bounce back,” she said.
“A huge challenge for hospitality and tourism this week has been the lack of preparation and planning for the opening up – so when it comes to the interstate borders, the more notice we have the better.”
Ramada by Wyndham
Hotel director Deep Singh had been preparing for a “bleak” season until the Qantas announcement.
“Any news to increase tourist numbers in the region is more than welcome at the moment,” he said. “I don’t know how long it will take to get back to normality.
“Normally we’d have a lot of people from Melbourne and Tassie here right now.
“If we can get the domestic borders open, we can get those travellers, especially the elderly who might stay for a few months.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen is poised to campaign for the region on the back of the flights.
“TTNQ and the industry look forward to working with the airlines to promote the direct routes to Cairns over the next 12 months,” he said.
Cairns Airport chief executive Norris Carter said travellers were already clamouring for seats. He said existing flights into Cairns were already oversubscribed, a positive sign for the next month.
“There is a huge pent-up demand,” Mr Carter said.
“The whole country has cabin fever and want to get out and about.”
In addition to direct fights from Brisbane, Qantas will be flying from Cairns to Weipa, Townsville and Horn Island.
Nu Nu Restaurant executive chef Nick Holloway said airlines needed to lead from the front to ensure tourists could arrive in the Far North with money in their pockets.
“The airlines should be the ones setting the tone – it is their job to get people here,” he said. “Far North Queensland is uniquely positioned to work in the COVID guidelines and still offer a unique hospitality experience.
“We live an alfresco life.”