Congratulations to the Sunshine Coast Airport on securing new Qantas Link flights including business friendly schedule.
We are very proud to have been working with the Airport, and our campaign delivery partners Various Artists, to deliver the Fly Local campaign, encouraging Sunshine Coasters to #FlyLocal. These flights will be great for Coast residents.
Here are all the details:
Flying kangaroo bounds into the Sunshine Coast
It’s been more than a decade since Sunshine Coast Airport last welcomed the flying kangaroo, but that’s about to change, with Qantas announcing services between the Sunshine Coast and Sydney* six days a week from December 2015.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the 110 seat Boeing 717 would depart Sunshine Coast for Sydney at 6.40am and touch down again at 6.15pm providing a great schedule for business travellers and more choice for the premium leisure market.
Services will start with a leisure-based schedule on December 21 to meet the Christmas and school holiday demand. Business flight timings will get underway from February 8, 2016.
“With more than 68,000 seats available, the new Qantas service is another enabler for business growth and will complement the major developments underway on the Sunshine Coast,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“The new business service has been a priority for Council and I commend Qantas on their commitment to, and confidence in, the region.
“The schedule allows Sunshine Coasters to avoid highway traffic, crowds and flight delays, save money on airport parking and arrive in Sydney to do a full day’s work and return again that evening.
“The flights also provide better connections to Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide and the leisure market will benefit with timing better suited to connecting with cruise ships departing southern ports.
“Qantas crew will be accommodated locally and we welcome the boost the provision of engineering, ground handling, catering and fuelling will bring to the Sunshine Coast economy.”
Sunshine Coast frequent flyer, 4 Ingredients owner and Sunshine Coast Airport’s Fly Local Campaign ambassador Kim McCosker welcomed the announcement, describing it as “fantastic”.
Mrs McCosker said, “Sunshine Coast Airport is practically my second home and we (my family and staff) love being able to fly from here rather than fighting traffic, roadworks and crowded carparks.
“I travel to Sydney weekly for business so the introduction of this new service will make it even more convenient to fly from my local airport.
“I’m just one of hundreds of people on the Sunshine Coast who all share the same story and will benefit from these business friendly flights.
“It’s very easy to be passionate about this – it saves us time and money.
“It buys time with our family and buys time with our businesses and that’s priceless,” Mrs McCosker said.
Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd CEO Simon Ambrose welcomed the new flights and thanked Qantas for its commitment to the Sunshine Coast.
“Today’s announcement is more good news for the Sunshine Coast tourism industry,” Mr Ambrose said.
“The decision by Qantas to fly to the Sunshine Coast will continue to drive growth in our premium tourism and business events sectors and open up new links for international visitors.”
Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager Peter Pallot said he was delighted with the partnership formed with the Qantas Group to bring these services to the Coast.
“There are more than 30,000 registered businesses on the Sunshine Coast, many who need to travel interstate regularly to conduct their business,” Mr Pallot said
“This service marks the end of the gruelling days that start early, finish late and come packaged with heavy traffic and uncertainty in between just because we want to be home with our families at the end of the day.
“More than ever, we need the Sunshine Coast business community to get on board and live the motto ‘I Fly Local’.”
Special fares for the launch of the Sydney – Sunshine Coast route will be on sale from 1300 AEST Wednesday 22 July until 23.59 Tuesday 28 July, unless sold out prior, and start at $89 one way in economy.
Price based on payment at qantas.com by BPAY. Selected travel dates, and conditions apply. Flights between Sydney and Sunshine Coast are subject to government and regulatory approval.
*subject to government/regulatory approval
FAST FACTS – DID YOU KNOW?
Sunshine Coast business people who Fly Local:
• Save up to four hours’ travel time and $100 on return trips
• Avoid highway traffic, crowds and flight delays
• Stimulate demand and helped secure a business-friendly flight schedule
• Currently travel via Sunshine Coast Airport on average 15 times per year
• Currently make up to 26% of all outbound passengers
• Can connect with hundreds of destinations
