Jetstar adds 40,000 extra seats for Coast flights

Mayor Mark Jamieson says Jetstar’s decision to add 40,000 extra seats for flights in and out of Sunshine Coast Airport is another positive step forward for the region’s economy, particularly the tourism and hospitality sector.

The increase in the summer schedule - November 2015 to March 2016 - comes thanks to strong demand from visitors as well as Sunshine Coast residents and businesses supporting the Fly Local campaign.

“This great news from Jetstar continues the upward trend we are seeing with the airlines that use our Sunshine Coast Airport,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“We experienced a record July with more than 83,000 passengers, a 7.3% increase on the same month last year, travelling through the airport.

“The Fly Local campaign is having a very positive effect, as is the work of Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd in highlighting what our region has to offer to bring even more interstate and overseas visitors to the Coast.

“We can look forward to Qantas beginning services six days a week from December and Air New Zealand has added a summer season with flights starting on December 13 and running until the end of February 2016.

“Our tourism and hospitality operators, and everyone on the Coast connected to them, will undoubtedly be very happy to hear such positive news heading into our most popular time of the year for visitors.

“These extra flights will also make it easier for local businesses to trade more effectively with interstate markets, particularly Sydney and Melbourne.”

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand Head of Commercial Nigel Fanning said the changing value of the Australian dollar made domestic travel more appealing for some of the airline’s customers.

"These extra flights are not only great news for tourism and hospitality operators up north, they will also provide more opportunities for our Queensland customers to get away and explore Sydney and Melbourne with our low fares this summer,” Mr Fanning said.