Mackay Airport will see the return of its first interstate flight in more than five years with the announcement today of Jetstar’s new Mackay – Sydney service.
From December 18 Jetstar will operate the three-per-week service on their A320 aircraft in a major boost for interstate connectivity to the region.
Garry Porter Chief Operating Officer of North Queensland Airports said he was delighted to welcome the new services to Mackay and praised the carrier’s decision to meet the pent-up demand in the market.
“We’re really excited to welcome back direct interstate services to the Mackay region and I applaud the team at Jetstar for their bold vision in canvassing these flights, as there’s growing demand for these services.
“As we begin to see the reopening of domestic borders, we know travellers are looking for more direct connectivity as it’s a significant factor for many holiday makers.
‘Direct flights have a significant impact on decision making around holiday destination and that’s why we’re continuing to work with our airline partners looking beyond just intrastate opportunities to more year-round interstate services, to boost visitation to the region.
“In 2019 we saw demand for domestic tourism increase in Mackay by 20 percent and the Whitsunday region by 34 percent, so we know there’s strong demand in our region for new and emerging regional tourism opportunities.
“In excess of one hundred thousand passengers per year flew between Mackay and Sydney back in 2016 when we had direct services, and this certainly makes our region a far more attractive and convenient holiday location.
“As a driver of so many sectors of our local economy we’re continuing to focus on expanding our network and these flights will also further strengthen business ties between these two key markets,” Mr Porter said.
Mackay and Isaac Tourism Chief Executive Officer Tas Webber said the announcement was a great opportunity for Sydneysiders to explore the Mackay and Isaac region.
“From kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough to new experiences like Wildcat, the Mackay and Isaac region is home to some of Australia’s most stunning beaches and attractions.
“These new direct flights are a great opportunity for visitors from Sydney and surrounds to really get off the beaten track and explore a part of Queensland they probably never knew existed,” Mr Webber said.
Jetstar Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Alan McIntyre said that the announcement is wonderful news for both the airline and the Mackay region.
“We’re excited to be launching the first interstate route out of Mackay since 2016, with our new direct flights from Sydney taking off over the summer.
“We expect to be carrying more than 4000 visitors between the two destinations each month which will deliver a significant tourism boost to the Mackay region.”
