The inaugural Alliance Airlines flight from Brisbane to Whitsundays Coast (Proserpine) landed yesterday, welcomed by a water cannon salute from two fire engines.
The airline will fly four times a week from Brisbane to the Whitsundays for the first time since the start of the coronavirus crisis, after negotiating a deal with the state government.
Sale fares for the flights launched at $99 one way including taxes. All fares are inclusive of 20kg free checked baggage.
Alliance Airlines CEO Lee Schofield says the company is delighted to be partnering with Whitsunday Coast Airport to make these new flights a reality.
It’s hoped more than 5,000 tourists will use this new service over the next year.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, “Tourism supports one in three jobs in the Whitsundays. We know how crucial this industry is to the livelihoods of people in this region. We want to see more Queenslanders having a holiday in the Whitsundays.”
Alliance also has services linking Brisbane with Bundaberg, Gladstone, Cloncurry and Port Macquarie.
Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Tash Wheeler said regaining air access to the region has been a top priority in mapping out the road to recovery.
“Air access is crucial in ensuring the survival of our tourism industry; it has been one of the key concerns from operators as we’ve weathered through this uncertain time,” Tash Wheeler said.
Whitsunday Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Craig Turner believes this partnership is the perfect solution to kick start flights to the tourism hotspot.
“In addition to the first flight touching down prior to school holidays, Alliance Airlines are working towards their flight schedule reflecting the perfect timing for a weekend getaway! We are delighted to be working with Alliance Airlines and look forward to continuing this partnership,” Craig Turner added.
Tickets on sale now allianceairlines.com.au
