QantasLink has announced a major boost to its Queensland services as demand for its regional services continues to grow.
The regional carrier will launch its recently acquired Boeing 717 aircraft on Rockhampton and Gladstone routes on March 15, adding 598 and 1,674 additional weekly seats respectively.
The new aircraft will also fly to Mackay from March 26, with the upgrade to add 806 additional weekly seats, taking capacity to 13,884 seats. The route is operated by both Jetstar and QantasLink.
QantasLink executive manager Narendra Kumar said the new 115-seat aircraft would complement existing aircraft to offer faster flight times and more seats at peak times.
“The introduction of QantasLink’s two new B717 aircraft in Queensland will deliver an increase of over 200,000 seats per year in Queensland,” he said.
The airline also announced that it would introduce new Q300 and Q400 aircraft services to several Queensland destinations. The new services will see flights to Emerald rise from 76 to 84 per week, adding 592 seats. Roma will receive two extra flights per week, adding 244 seats. Four additional flights to Bundaberg will be introduced, creating 200 more seats.
Its Cairns to Weipa route will be upped to 34 weekly services, with a twice weekly service to be added on the Townsville-Moronbah route, and two Wednesday services on the Cairns-Horn Island route and the Townsville-Cloncurry Mount Isa route to be upgraded to a Q400 aircraft.
