Virgin Australia will launch a daily direct service between Cairns and Weipa next year when air services are deregulated and QantasLink’s monopoly on the route comes to an end.
The Newman Government in Queensland said with demand on the route rising 15% over the past two years it “made sense to open it out to the wider market”.
Virgin Australia responded to the news by announcing it will operate a daily ATR Turboprop aircraft between the two ports. It will bring choice to consumers and competitive air fares which will be 20% cheaper than current QantasLink fares, the carrier said.
“Virgin Australia has a strong track record of bringing much-needed competition and lower fares to monopoly markets in Australia,” chief commercial officer Judith Crompton said. “In Queensland the mining boom is continuing to drive increased demand and open up routes that can sustain competitive air services.”
She added: “We welcome the deregulation of the Cairns and Weipa connection and believe it is a positive step forward for customers, the industry and tourism.”
Fares will start from $129 one-way.
The state government said the route will be fully deregulated by the end of 2014.
“The deregulation of air services between Cairns and Weipa followed feedback received through five week long reviews of all long distance services conducted by the department,” transport and main roads minister Scott Emerson said. “Out of all the air services, the Cairns and Weipa route received the most feedback with 585 individual submissions received.”
