Qantas yesterday launched nonstop flights between Adelaide and Townsville.
The airline’s first flight between the two cities was operated yesterday, marked with celebrations for passengers at the gate at each airport.
QantasLink will operate 3-weekly flights between Adelaide Airport and Townsville Airport. These flights will operate with the following schedule:
- Adelaide-Townsville
- Departure time: 10:30
- Arrival time: 13:50
- Flight time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Flight number: QF1986
- Frequency: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Townsville-Adelaide
- Departure time: 14:50
- Arrival time: 17:25
- Flight time: 3 hours and 05 minutes
- Flight number: QF1985
- Frequency: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
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The flights will be operated by QantasLink’s 94-seater Embraer E190 aircraft, delivering more than 550 seats on the route each week.
The E190s were introduced to QantasLink’s network in May as part of the airline’s new agreement with Alliance Airlines. The Australian flag carrier says that with E190’s size, range and economics, the aircraft has opened up a number of new routes that wouldn’t have been viable with Qantas’ existing fleet, including three new routes from Townsville and four from Adelaide.
John Gissing, CEO, QantasLink, said:
We know that Australians are eager to travel again, and these new flights open up a direct connection between Adelaide and Townsville just in time for the school holidays. Adelaide has been very popular with travellers over the past year with its culture, entertainment and as a gateway to Australia’s world-famous wine regions. These flights will help drive more visitors to Townsville which will help local businesses in their recovery from the impact of COVID. Our customers and frequent flyers will enjoy our premium service on these new flights, whether its complimentary food and drinks, baggage or access to lounges in Adelaide and Townsville.
He added that with no other airline currently operating between the two cities, the flights will save more than two hours in travel time on a round trip instead of flying via other cities.
Qantas is currently offering sale fares on the route from $179 one way for travel between October 2021 and March 2022, available until Saturday 25th September 2021, unless sold out prior.
Meanwhile, Qantas has announced the resumption of flights to Proserpine for the first time in seven years and has also announced a significant domestic expansion including deploying its Boeing B787 Dreamliners on some domestic routes. The airline has resumed flights to Burnie too and will require all of its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Qantas is rewarding its Australian Frequent Flyers who are fully vaccinated in order to support vaccination and has outlined strategy for resumption of international flights. The airline’s joint business plan with Japan Airlines has been blocked by Australia’s Competition Commission.
Featured image by Qantas
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