Competition heats up at Coffs airport as new flights are announced
There has been an influx of new services at Coffs airport in recent weeks, and now another airline is upping the ante.
Coffs Harbour
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Competition is heating up at Coffs Harbour Airport ahead of its privatisation, with another airline now announcing it will be increasing its flights from next week.
In recent months the airport has seen an influx of new services, including Qantas’ direct routes to both Brisbane and Melbourne, and the introduction of Rex Airlines which now operates flights to Sydney.
Regional airline Link Airways – which had been the sole airline along the Coffs Harbour to Brisbane route since 2016 – is now upping the ante weeks after Qantas moved to gain a foothold on the route.
From this weekend, the airline formerly known as Fly Corporate will increase its flight frequency to 12 weekly services from Sundays-Fridays (inclusive) and is offering $159 one-way deal fares.
In a statement from Coffs Harbour Airport, it is said that the increase in flights would now provide the opportunity for travellers flying on Link Airways to spend a full business day in Brisbane and return home that same afternoon.
“Today’s announcement is further evidence of Link Airways’ commitment to re-grow air services to this vibrant regional centre,” the statement read.
“Link Airways would also like to take this opportunity to thank loyal customers and the community for the support that they have shown over the last five years.”
Qantas’ new Brisbane service, which includes four return flights a week, was due to launch on the same date as its Melbourne service at the beginning of April however the snap lockdown saw these plans delayed by four weeks.
Gareth Williamson, General Manager of Aviation Business Development for Agilis Airports, was one of the passengers on the first flight. Agilis Airports – which also manages Sunshine Coast Airport – is the management group that will soon oversee the operations of the council-owned asset once Palisade Investment Partners takes on the long-term lease.
Agilis Airports are currently in a transition period with Coffs Harbour City Council.
Mr Williamson said the airport’s bolstered partnership with Qantas showed there was confidence in the region, despite Virgin’s abrupt withdrawal from the Coffs Coast in mid-April.
“The partnership with Qantas has been about supporting a whole network. It’s the first time Qantas has operated in that style in this region and they can see the potential here,” he said.
Mr Williamson said at the time that they expected Virgin to resume flights from Coffs Harbour at a future date.
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