Airlines are announcing new routes as passengers return to air

Another company is offering flights between Tasmania and the nation’s capital, which are set to start next month. HOW TO GET CHEAP, FIRST RELEASE FLIGHTS >>

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Qantas will begin operating a direct Hobart to Canberra service from December 4 and is offering flights for $159 one way.

The airline will fly between Tasmania’s capital and the nation’s capital three times a week.

The new service comes on top of another Hobart-Canberra offering operated by Link Airways which touched down for the first time in Tasmania on Thursday.

Link Airways’ Saab 340B Plus will be flying to and from Hobart and Canberra in a new direct route. Tickets are on sale now.

Qantas’ new Hobart service is one of three new routes it announced on Friday along with a three-day sale.

The airline said it had announced nine new routes across Australia since state and territory border restrictions eased in September.

Hobart Airport has seen almost 300 flights land and depart since October 19 and the first flights from NSW are arriving today.

Among those first passengers from NSW to arrive in Hobart will be Prime Minister Scott Morrison who is flying to attend the Liberal Party’s Tasmanian State Conference which is being held this weekend at Blundstone Arena.

Chief executive of Hobart Airport Matt Cocker. Picture: zak Simmonds

Acting CEO, Matt Cocker said the airport would record almost 300 flights between 19 October and 15 November.

“It’s great to see passengers returning to Tasmania, friends and families reconnecting after months apart and visitors starting to rediscover our State and supporting our tourism and hospitality industries,” Mr Cocker said.

“While obviously flight numbers are down on this time last year, we are seeing a steady increase. This really is just the beginning though. Given the encouraging results in Victoria, we are hopeful of welcoming back visitors from our biggest market well before Christmas.”

“Importantly, we are keeping all of our staff, passengers and visitors safe under our COVID management plan and the State Government’s Public Health and Biosecurity screening processes are working well.”

“We continue to work closely with the State Government to progress direct flights to New Zealand.”

Qantas has also announced it will launch a new route between Sydney and Launceston which begins on December 4. The airline has also added a Brisbane to Hobart flight and another Gold Coast to Hobart service through Jetstar.

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