New figures reveal which Gold Coast suburbs top the list of bargain fare buyers nationwide

WE all love a cheap airfare, but Gold Coast suburbs dominate a new nationwide list which shows which postcodes have bought the most tickets in the past year. HINT: It’s not what you would expect.

Jetstar file picture. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

GOLD Coasters are in love with cheap airfares according to new figures released by budget airline Jetstar.

Over the past year, more than 51,000 locals bought plane tickets of less than $100 value, putting the Glitter Strip second only to Launceston, Tasmania, where 56,000 seats were sold.

More surprisingly, the suburb of Carrara made the top 10, alongside Melbourne, Werribee, Sydney, Mackay, Geelong and Ballina in northern NSW.

Of the top 10 Queensland locations, the Gold Coast overall and seven of our suburbs dominated the list, with just Mackay and Cairns appearing in the top three.

More than 24,000 tickets were sold in Carrara, narrowly beating Southport at 23,000.

The bottom half of the top 10 was rounded out by Burleigh (21,000), Robina (20,000), Ashmore (17,000), Palm Beach and Paradise Point (both 16,000).

Jetstar Australia chief executive Dean Salter said the Gold Coasters were among the most savvy bargain hunters for cheap flights.