New flights from the Gold Coast set to boost Queensland tourism

The easing of border restrictions has been a big boost for Gold Coast travellers, with Virgin Australia adding more than 3000 seats for travel during October.

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THE only way is up for Gold Coast travellers, with Virgin Australia adding more than 3000 seats between Coolangatta and Canberra for travel during October.

The airline will increase frequency of fights between Canberra and the Gold Coast from two return services per week to five by the end of October.

Virgin Australia General Manager, Network & Revenue Management Russell Shaw said the new flights could be booked from September 22.

“We’re pleased that Queensland is reopening to ACT residents and that South Australia is reopening to both ACT and NSW residents, which is great news for tourism operators and the local economies,” he said.

“We look forward to the safe reopening of further borders to help the tourism and aviation industries to recover and provide more opportunities for Australians to travel locally.”

The network increase will be serviced by Virgin Australia’s current deployed fleet of Boeing 737s.

The airline continues to operate direct services between Adelaide and the Gold Coast.

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A Virgin Australia flight at Gold Coast Airport in April.

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The announcement follows news last week that Qantas will introduce a new seasonal route between Canberra and the Gold Coast.

From September 25, for the first time in more than two decades, the Flying Kangaroo will operate up to four flights between Canberra and the Gold Coast.

“This new flight means you leave Canberra at lunch and by midafternoon you can be sitting on the beach enjoying everything the Gold Coast has to offer,” said QantasLink CEO John Gissing of the new four-week seasonal service

“We know there is significant pent-up demand for domestic travel with Australians wanting to explore their own backyard.

“We’ll monitor demand on the route and if it proves successful, we could look to operating flights over the summer school holiday period.”

The Gold Coast Airport currently has services to Cairns, Townsville, Canberra, Adelaide and, for essential travel only, Sydney.

Gold Coast to Cairns services have also been boosted – this week, there are 11 Gold Coast to Cairns return services, back to levels seen before COVID-19 travel restrictions.