Cairns Airport’s push for greater domestic connectivity has been boosted with Alliance Airlines new Sunshine Coast service to Cairns that will touch down in Cairns tomorrow afternoon.
Garry Porter Head of Aviation at Cairns Airport said he was delighted to see Alliance Airlines expanding its services within Queensland at a time when restoring aviation and the replacement of international travellers was important for the region.
“These new services offer more opportunity to connect Queensland and for visitors to experience the diversity of the state’s cultural and natural experiences, Mr Porter said.
“This is a wonderful vote of confidence in Cairns and the Far North after what has been an incredibly challenging period and we’re delighted Alliance Airways sees the opportunity and demand to increase connectivity between our two regions.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen welcomed the Alliance Airlines flights as another means of tapping into the larger population of Queensland’s southeast corner.
“The introduction of the Sunshine Coast route from Cairns will be a great win for our business, leisure and tourism markets.”
“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.
“This new service has the potential to bring 40,000 visitors to the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region which would be a welcome boost for our operators.”
“Not only does it give Sunshine Coast residents direct access into Cairns, it gives Cairns residents the ability to connect with family and friends on the Sunshine Coast.”
The new services will operate three times per week and are the first time the two regions have been directly connected by flights.
Cairns Airport will welcome the Alliance Airlines service tomorrow afternoon with a water salute and a few iconic local characters.