After more than seven months Cairns will welcome back West Australian services tomorrow with the recommencement of new daytime flights from Perth.
The Queensland border closed to West Australia back in early April and the return of services is being welcomed across the region, with Jetstar to recommence three services per week increasing to five per week from early December.
Cairns Airport Head of Aviation Garry Porter said the return of Perth flights to Cairns was a further positive step in aviation recovery for the region.
“This is great news for our domestic return and with the staged reopening of interstate borders we’re seeing lots of positive forces all coming together. The airlines are continuing to see renewed passenger demand and that’s really boosting confidence.”
“Since September we’ve seen a steady increase in passengers with the return of Adelaide and Darwin services as well as increases on Brisbane, Canberra and now Perth.”
“With Perth flights resuming from tomorrow Cairns Airport will have now have more than thirty thousand passengers a week through its terminal, compared to just five thousand back in June, and that’s really encouraging.”
“Following the Premiers announcement today that Sydneysiders will be able to come Queensland from next Tuesday, travellers now have more certainty about the Christmas holiday period. We’re continuing to take really positive steps towards solid recovery for the region and the return of travellers,” Mr Porter said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the Perth flights offered the opportunity to West Australians who frequent Bali to have the tropical holiday they missed out on.
“I encourage West Australians to fly to Cairns to experience the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s oldest rainforest and the relaxed tropical lifestyle they are looking for,” he said.
“TTNQ and Cairns Airport have a strong partnership to ensure opportunities such as these flights become a reality.”