New flights put business on a higher plane

Direct daily access to Australia’s major financial and business hub will be readily and conveniently available for Sunshine Coast business travellers from next week.

Qantas will commence “Sydney in a day” services from the Sunshine Coast from Tuesday morning, February 9.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said a 110-seat two class Boeing 717 will depart Sunshine Coast Airport for Sydney at 6.40am each weekday and return again at 6.15pm, providing a convenient service for local business travellers and a vital boost for the region’s economic future.

“This new flight schedule will provide Sunshine Coast business travelers with a convenient daily service that departs at 6:40am, has them touching down in Sydney nice and early for a full day’s work, and returning home in the early evening,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“The flights also enable better connections to Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide.

“Looking at the broader picture, these flights are vital to the Sunshine Coast’s Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) because they’ll provide a convenient connection between our region and Australia’s major financial and business hub, that we haven’t had until now.

“Securing this new business service has been a priority for council and I thank Qantas for their commitment to and confidence in our region.

“I encourage local business travellers to fly local and support Qantas' investment in our region.”

Sunshine Coast frequent flyer and 4 Ingredients owner Kim McCosker said the new daily flight schedule was a potential time and money saver for fellow local business owners.

“I travel to Sydney weekly for business so the introduction of this new service will make it so much more convenient because it buys time with family and with our business – and that’s priceless,” Mrs McCosker said.

“I’m just one of hundreds of people on the Sunshine Coast who all share the same story and who stand to benefit greatly from these business friendly flights.”

Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager Peter Pallot said the new daily Qantas services marked an end to long, stressful days for local business travellers.

“There are many of the Sunshine Coast’s more than 30,000 registered businesses who need to travel interstate regularly to conduct their business,” Mr Pallot said.

“And like them I am looking forward to saving time, money and stress with a short commute to the airport instead of facing the uncertainty of the Bruce Highway.

“These new flights are fantastic news, and we are looking forward to the business community supporting these flights to help ensure the success of our Qantas services and the sustainable growth of our Sunshine Coast Airport.”

For more information about the new daily business flights, visit http://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/

FAST FACTS – DID YOU KNOW?

Sunshine Coast business people who Fly Local:

• Helped secure the Qantas business-friendly flight schedule
• Avoid Bruce Highway traffic congestion
• Can save up to four hours’ travel time and $100 on return trips when flying from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney
• Currently travel via Sunshine Coast Airport on average 15 times per year
• Represent 26% of the outbound passenger travel market at Sunshine Coast Airport