Gold Coast Airport loses major direct flight in Jetstar move to Brisbane

The Glitter Strip has lost a major travel route in a move described as a blow to the city’s thriving tourism industry. Find out the reason behind the shock decision.

A budget airline was forced to axe Gold Coast’s direct flight service to Tokyo after it failed to meet passenger number expectations, it can be revealed.

On Monday, Jetstar announced Gold Coast’s last direct flight to Tokyo (Narita) would be on October 29.

The service would be offered from Brisbane Airport after this date.

The route had been in operation at the Gold Coast Airport since December 2008.

At the time, it was understood about 132,350 passengers needed to use the service each year for it to remain viable.

Since August, less than 80,000 passengers had travelled on the route.

A Jetstar spokesman said “consolidation” and “operational reasons” had forced the shakeup.

“This change will strengthen Jetstar’s operations by consolidating wide body aircraft flying and related engineering resources in Brisbane,” he said.

“We’re confident the new flight will serve all of southeast Queensland, with Brisbane and the Gold Coast well connected by car, taxi, bus and train.”

Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully, centre, poses with airline staff during an announcement at Brisbane Airport. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The spokesman said it did not receive any money from the $200m international aviation fund - a joint partnership between the Queensland government and the state’s four largest airports - to restart the Gold Coast to Tokyo flights after the Covid pandemic.

It followed Scoot airline’s decision to axe its Gold Coast to Singapore service from next month after more than a decade.

The low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines warned passengers of the change in February and stated the decision was made to “adjust capacity and optimise resources in response to demand.”

They were among the first international carriers to resume routes from the Gold Coast following the pandemic.

Earlier - GC airport loses major direct flight in shock move

Gold Coast Airport has lost its direct flight service to Tokyo in a major blow to the city’s tourism industry.

Gold Coast’s last direct flight to Narita, east of central Tokyo, will be on October 29.

It comes after Jetstar inked a deal with Brisbane Airport to launch an extra half a million low fares seats between the river city and international destinations.

The deal will see the operation of direct flights between Brisbane and Tokyo (Narita), Brisbane and Osaka and Brisbane and Seoul, South Korea.

Jetstar trainees Natasha Banjac, Selen Keles, Corey Manning and Emma Hodgkinson at the Jetstar training facility. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A Jetstar spokeswoman said the change was about serving all of southeast Queensland.

“The Gold Coast remains an important destination in Jetstar’s network,” she said.

“We will continue to operate up to 190 domestic and international flights to and from the Gold Coast each week to nine domestic and four international destinations.”

She said customers who had booked travel to Tokyo via the Gold Coast after October 29 would be offered alternative flights or refunds.

Queensland Airports Limited chief commercial officer Adam Rowe criticised the move.

“Along with our partners and passengers, we are very disappointed that Jetstar has decided to withdraw its Tokyo Narita service from Gold Coast Airport,” Mr Rowe said.

A Jetstar plane landing at Gold Coast Airport.

“We understand that Jetstar’s decision was based on operational performance, rather than the popularity of the connection, as this service has been a longstanding driver of our tourism industry and always well patronised by locals.

“We will continue to work closely with the state government and our tourism partners to secure new Asian services to the Gold Coast and grow existing international markets, including New Zealand, Kuala Lumpur and Bali.”

Destination Gold Coast interim chief operating officer Rachel Hancock said it was disappointed with the decision and would explore new opportunities in other parts of Asia, India and Europe.

“Our city remains focussed on Japan as a key inbound market,” she said.

“We are encouraged to see strong demand returning in key international markets including New Zealand, Southeast and North Asia, and the early stages to the return of China after border reopening announcements earlier this year.”

Queensland Airports Limited chief commercial officer Adam Rowe. Picture: David Clark

The Gold Coast service to Tokyo has been in operation since December 2008.

Since post-Covid in August 2022, more than 79,000 passengers had travelled on this route, with aircrafts servicing the route sitting at 77 per cent full on average.

The new Brisbane flights include:

Japan

From October 31, five return flights a week between Brisbane and Tokyo (Narita), increasing to a daily service from December 3.

From February 2024, four return services a week between Brisbane and Osaka (Kansai).

South Korea

From February 2024, three return flights a week between Brisbane and Seoul (Incheon).

Bali

From February 2024, Brisbane to Bali (Denpasar) will increase from seven to 10 return services a week.

New Zealand

From October 29, four return services per week between Brisbane and Auckland increases to daily