Cairns Airport and TTNQ welcome the announcement by the State Government today of new Alliance Airlines flights from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast.
The new service is the result of a concerted effort over many months by Cairns Airport, TTNQ, Sunshine Coast Airport, Visit Sunshine Coast and the Queensland Government working together to connect two state and nationally significant tourism destinations.
The new services will operate three times per week and connect leisure and business travellers as well as the many families who travel regularly between the two regions.
Cairns Airport CEO Norris Carter said the airport is delighted to welcome the new services between Cairns and the Sunshine Coast.
“The research has shown there is significant demand for travellers from the Sunshine Coast region to visit Cairns and Great Barrier Reef. These new flights will make it easier for Queenslanders at both ends of the route to discover more of Queensland.”
“Restoring aviation capacity is vital for us to reroute some of the $54 billion usually spent by Australians travelling overseas each year into the Far North.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen welcomed the flights as another means of tapping into the larger population of Queensland’s southeast corner.
“Direct flights are a great incentive for Sunshine Coast residents to trade cool winter temperatures for tropical warmth where they can snorkel and dive on the Great Barrier Reef and explore the world’s oldest rainforest,” he said.
“We know there are plenty of Sunshine Coast residents who want to experience the Great Barrier Reef and the wonders of the Far North and the natural attractions of the region.”
Cairns Airport also welcomed the State Government support announced earlier this week for airline route development.
“We’re working with the airlines and TTNQ to get visitation and flights back to the region sooner,” Mr Carter said.