$39 flights between Byron Bay / Ballina and Sydney for fully vaccinated people

An airline is offering cheap flights to regional NSW to coincide with the NSW Government’s expected reopening of travel. Here is when they take off.

People disembark a domestic Jetstar flight at the Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport on June 20, 2020. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Airlines are ready to take off from Sydney and bring tourists back to the Northern Rivers from October 18.

As soon as they have received two doses of a Covid vaccine, that is.

Qantas and Jetstar have confirmed a special sale for travel on regional NSW routes to coincide with the NSW Government’s expected reopening of travel for fully vaccinated people from Monday, October 18.

Jetstar is offering $39 fares from Sydney to the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, with that price available from 12pm Friday.

Qantas has discounted fares to and from Sydney from $99.

Travel periods for the discounted fares for both Qantas and Jetstar are between October 18 and mid-December and from mid-January to the end of March 2022.

Ballina mayor David Wright and Ballina Byron Gateway Airport manager Julie Stewart.

Ballina mayor David Wright said it was imperative for local businesses and workers to get vaccinated an ready for the influx of tourists.

“I respect people’s rights but I think we also all have a responsibility to understand the safest thing is to get vaccinated with a double dose,” he said.

“I applaud the airlines’ decision to only bring people that are double-vaccinated.

“I’ve had mine, but if people want to be able to meet others again, I believe double-dose vaccination is the only way.”

Mr Wright said the effect of lockdown on the airport’s income had not been as bad as it was during the 2020 lockdown.

“In 2020 we went from 60-odd thousand travellers arriving in February and then in March we had 300,” he said.

“We’ve had essential workers coming in, although some of the smaller flights have not come in.”

He said last year’s festive season was strong for the airport and this made a huge difference.

“The airport had a fantastic Christmas 2020, and that made up for virtually almost all the loses we had in 2020, and at the moment we are doing works at the airport, but I am certain people will gradually come back to the area,” he said.

A Qantas spokesperson said NSW residents were keen to start travelling interstate safely.

“Getting more people into the regions will be welcome news for local businesses, hospitality and tour operators, that have been hurting from Covid-19 and travel restrictions,” they said.

“It will also be great to get more of our people back to work.”