Mackay Airport reveals new direct flights on its radar

The airport has responded to calls from Mackay residents for more travel options.

Mackay Airport building.

Mackay Airport has responded to overwhelming feedback from Mackay residents demanding more direct flight options for the region.

A Mackay Airport spokeswoman said no locations for new flights had been ruled out, but the preferred options for a new direct service were Newcastle and Melbourne.

Daily Mercury readers flooded our Facebook page at the weekend with their suggestions, with Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne and Sydney the most popular travel spots mentioned.

"Direct flight to Gold Coast would be cool," Facebook user Jason Devine wrote.

"How's about direct flights to Melb (sic) being an option again? Post COVID and mainly during the AFL season, please and thank you," Daniel Taylor said.

The airport spokeswoman said it was in continual discussions with airline partners about the potential for new flights.

"When we are in a position to announce, we will," she said.

"Our data suggests preferred locations are Newcastle and Melbourne, which aligns with both the resource sector and visitor friends', relatives' feedback."

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The spokeswoman said Mackay did not have these options already because of the "very competitive" aviation market pre-COVID.

"Airlines were already reducing capacity across the country and managing load factors," she said.

 

What Daily Mercury readers had to say:

 

Donella Haynes: Gold Coast, Sunny Coast would be great

Darren Smith: Direct flights Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast would be better!

Michaela Balfour: Direct flight to bundy would be good

Di Kendrick: How about cheap direct flights to Sydney!

Kenneth Spud Tate: Sunny Coast would be awesome

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