Hobart Airport to return to 80 per cent of pre-COVID traffic as travellers make most of open borders

Tasmania is less than two weeks from reopening its borders to Victoria — meaning it will have opened to the entire country — and travellers are making the most of the new-found freedom.

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HOBART Airport traffic will return to about 80 per cent of pre-COVID levels as early as January as airlines rebound and pent-up demand among travel-hungry passengers spikes.

It comes as Tasmania prepares to open its borders on November 27 to Victoria, following that state successfully bringing under control a large-scale virus outbreak.

Travellers from all other states and territories are already allowed to come to Tasmania without having to quarantine for 14 days.

The lowering of state borders — which had been closed since March — has seen embattled airlines open up a flood of new and renewed flight routes in and out of Tasmania.

It has seen travellers make the most of special flight deals and connect directly with newly-launched destinations like Canberra, Gold Coast and Perth.

Chief executive of Hobart Airport, Matt Cocker. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Hobart Airport chief executive Matt Cocker said the renewed demand for flights was expected to continue in coming months.

“It’s exciting to see strong demand for flights to and from Hobart and we are hopeful of adding new routes in coming months,’’ he said.

“We expect that by early next year, flights to and from Hobart will be at approximately 80 per cent of pre-COVID levels, which is a fantastic outcome for Tasmania and a testament to the hard work of all involved in rebuilding our aviation network.”

Launceston Airport chief executive Hans van Pelt said the airport hoped to return to about 60 per cent of pre-COVID passenger numbers by the end of the year.

Mr van Pelt said with state borders opening up, domestic tourism would play a key role in stimulating the economy — and he welcomed $5 million in this week’s state budget towards upgrading the airport’s infrastructure.

Virgin Australia this week announced the reintroduction of four-times weekly services between Melbourne-Hobart and Melbourne-Launceston from November 27, and daily from December 14.

The airline will also reintroduce twice weekly services between Brisbane and Launceston from November 23.

“Victorians have done a great job in helping to restore confidence in their tourism and travel industry,’’ a Virgin Australia spokesman said.

“The border announcement by the Tasmanian Government is welcome news and will allow us to bring more of our people back to work and customers the opportunity to reunite with friends and family this Christmas.”

Meanwhile, Qantas starts direct flights from Hobart-Perth from this Saturday, with three flights being offered per week.

It is also selling flights between Hobart and Canberra, after smaller airline Link Airways initially launched flights between those destinations, the first time the route has been offered since 2013.

Jetstar will soon commence direct flights between Tasmania’s capital and the Gold Coast.

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