Airfare sales blitz puts Queensland on sale in wake of Cyclone Alfred

Airfares from less than $60 are on sale as part of a tourism fightback in the wake of Cyclone Alfred.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully. Picture: news.com.au

The first shots have been fired in the battle to save Queensland’s Easter holidays from the wounds of Cyclone Alfred, with Jetstar launching an epic airfare sales frenzy.

Jetstar will on Friday launch a 72-hour promotion on flights to destinations across Queensland and interstate, with many one-way fares under $60.

The sales blitz, the first of three airline promotions also involving Qantas and Virgin, is in conjunction with a $6 million rescue package announced by the Queensland government and Tourism and Events Queensland last week to ignite a bookings frenzy for Easter amid fears Alfred has set the state up for a multimillion-dollar holiday wipe-out.

Cyclone Alfred caused widespread damage to beaches on the Gold Coast, but repair work is underway to restore them to full glory. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Tourism leaders on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane region have estimated a loss of more than $300 million for the sector from cancelled bookings and spooked holiday-makers reluctant to travel to regions hit by Alfred earlier this month.

Jetstar’s Queensland Sale runs from midday Friday until Monday night unless all available fares are sold out prior.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate last week hinted that some of the fares being offered by airlines as part of the cyclone recovery campaign would be “cheaper than the taxi to the airport” and he was close to the mark, with Sydney-Gold Coast ($55), Sydney-Sunshine Coast ($57) and Newcastle-Brisbane (from $54) among the cheapest fares on sale.

Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully said the sale would be an attractive proposition for anyone considering a Queensland escape over the coming weeks.

“We’re thrilled southeast Queensland is welcoming visitors again after recent weather events – and we’re excited to help bring them there,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing work with TEQ to support its growing tourism economy.”

TEQ’s Ollie Philpot was confident people would jump at the chance to secure cheap travel to Queensland.

“Easter is simply a great time to holiday after a busy start to the year, and these heavily reduced Jetstar flights provide an affordable opportunity to come and visit us in Queensland,” he said.

“There’s no doubt Queensland businesses have experienced a tough start to the year (but) this partnership with Jetstar will help them bounce back sooner rather than later.”