Free parking, expanded departures land: Big changes at Hervey Bay airport
Free parking for the first 30 minutes and an expanded departure lounge are two of the changes coming to Hervey Bay Airport.
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Cheaper parking and an expansion of the departure lounge to reduce crowding are two of the upgrades being carried out at Hervey Bay Airport.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the Fraser Coast Regional Council was now offering free parking for the first 30 minutes at the airport, eliminating the need to use the two-minute lane for pick-up and drop-offs.
“We think this change improves efficiency and will be welcomed by residents,” he said.
“Providing free parking for the first 30 minutes is one way council can make travel in our region more affordable and enjoyable.
“Hervey Bay Airport has commercial flights that operate regularly to and from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Lady Elliot Island and K’gari.
“To improve the experience for passengers waiting for flights, the departure lounge will be expanded to accommodate 250 passengers.
“The current departure lounge seats 160 passengers, often accommodating many more passengers over two and a half hours during peak times.
“This extension, to be completed by August 15, will increase seating to 250 and reduce crowding during peak times.
“This upgrade will be a significant asset for the airport, as passenger numbers have increased considerably since Jetstar began flying direct from Hervey Bay to Melbourne in June 2024.
“Overall passenger numbers have increased by 13 per cent in the last financial year, with 168,616 passengers flying in and out of Hervey Bay Airport in 2023/24.”
Mr Seymour said it was fantastic to see the number of passengers increasing each year.
“There are not many places in Australia where you can step off a plane after a short flight from Sydney or Melbourne and be on the doorstep to the world-famous K’gari, amazing nature adventures or whales experience at your doorstep,” he said.
“For the next three months, the Hervey Bay Airport is also giving residents the chance to win a $500 flight voucher by filling in an online survey on travel.
“This data collected will be used to improve the flying experience and attract new flights to our airport.”
Click here to do the survey.
“Council is keen to ensure the Fraser Coast has a strong, resilient and diversified economy, and having a strong aviation access and a bustling tourism industry is vital to achieving that goal.”
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