- Crisafulli Government secures first domestic flights through the Connecting Queensland Fund.
- New Jetstar flights secured from Western Sydney Airport to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
- New services will deliver 262,000 inbound seats, inject $192 million in visitor spending, and support 682 jobs.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering new opportunities for Queensland after a decade of decline under the Labor Government.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to grow Queensland’s aviation network, securing new domestic flights from the Western Sydney Airport that will bring more visitors to the State, support local businesses and create jobs.
The agreement with Jetstar delivers the first domestic flights secured through the Crisafulli Government’s $75 million Connecting Queensland Fund, delivering on a key Destination 2045 initiative to grow aviation access and make Queensland easier to visit.
From 25 October, the inaugural flight will operate from the new Western Sydney Airport to the Gold Coast, with four weekly services initially scheduled between the two destinations. A new Western Sydney to Brisbane service will also operate three times a week under the agreement.
The new flights are expected to generate up to 262,000 inbound seats over the next two years, bringing an estimated $192 million in visitor expenditure and supporting 682 direct jobs.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said growing aviation access was critical to unlocking Queensland’s tourism potential and delivering the long-term vision of Destination 2045.
“When we launched Destination 2045, we would make it easier for people to visit Queensland, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.” Minister Powell said.
“More flights mean more visitors, more jobs and more opportunities for businesses and communities right across our State.
“Queensland is the best place to visit in the world, and these new connections will help more people experience the iconic attractions and world-class experiences across our State that are second to none.”
Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said this was a major milestone for Australian aviation and one that has been years in the making.
“Jetstar has an incredible history of growing new markets and being the first airline to launch will give one of the country’s fastest growing regions better access to low fares to some of our most popular destinations,” Ms Hudson said.
“We know there’s growing demand for customers in Western Sydney and we’re proud to be working with Gold Coast Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland to make our services to South East Queensland a reality.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said the new flights would deliver visitors and spending straight to Queensland’s local tourism businesses.
“Every new flight into Queensland opens the door to more visitors, and connecting Western Sydney directly to the Gold Coast and Brisbane gives three million residents an easy path to that Queensland holiday feeling they are already dreaming about,” Mr Davidson said.
