Kangaroo Island businesses hail discounts as Qantas flags more flights to Kingscote

Kangaroo Island businesses have welcomed half-price flights, as Qantas announces more Kingscote flights and new state travel voucher details emerge.

The Kangaroo Island community has hailed half price flights to Kingscote as a huge boost for its economy, which has been bruised and battered by bushfires and the pandemic.

The island has been included in 800,000 half-price airfares available across the country, subsidised by the Federal Government as part of a $1.2bn tourism sector support package.

Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance chairman Pierre Gregor says it will especially help tourism businesses reliant on interstate visitors, such as car hire companies and tour operators. “Those people have struggled significantly,” he said.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly said the half price flights, available for travel from April 1 to September 30, were “fantastic news”, helping draw people to the island during the cooler months. It would also help the council increase the amount of money it receives in passenger levies for Kingscote Airport. “We’re on the bones of our backside with income there,” he said.

The discounted flight tickets will be available to purchase by April 1, and bookings must be made by July 31.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says his company will increase flight capacity to a number of locations, including Kangaroo Island. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

It comes as Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce today said his company would increase its flights to the island, after Rex Airlines recently announced it would stop its two return flights a week to Kingscote at the end of March.

Qantas is yet to announce details on how many extra flights it will introduce.

Exceptional Kangaroo Island usually has about 85 per cent international travellers on its tours, and owner Craig Wickham said it was operating at about five per cent capacity.

The half price flights were “very good news” for the company, which has already diversified by offering new experiences and buying a commercial laundry because “everyone needs a bed but not everyone needs a tour”.

“As the last eight months have shown, there’s been awesome support for KI but it’s self-drive and helped the accommodation and some of the attractions but not the touring sector,” Mr Wickham said.

Craig and Janet Wickham run Exceptional Kangaroo Island. Picture: Supplied.

“The further you are from home, the more likely you are to do a complete hosted experience.” He is working with travel agents to try and encourage Australians to take up more tours, for a more immersive experience.

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park owner Dana Mitchell hoped the subsidised flights would give those considering a trip away some extra impetus to book.

Dana Mitchell from the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park with injured Koala Ash, 2, and son Connor, 2, in Parndana. Picture: Simon Cross

Meanwhile, Premier Steven Marshall has announced that the third round of the Great State Vouchers will be released next week.

It is expected to be expanded to include tours and ticketed events.

The first round of the vouchers launched in October, with discounts of up to $100 on accommodation across the state. The vouchers were snapped up within 90 minutes.

The second round, which opened in January, sold out within 40 minutes.