Qantas returns to the Gold Coast
Qantas has confirmed it will resume daily services to the Gold Coast, with the airline attributing the U-turn to growing demand for premium leisure and business travel in the region.
The three daily return services between Sydney and the Gold Coast will commence in late October operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft marking the end of a four-year hiatus which saw low cost subsidiary Jetstar take over the route.
Chief executive Alan Joyce described the Gold Coast as a “fast-growing premium travel market” as he announced the route’s relaunch today.
“Our customers have told us that they want a premium leisure and business service, complementing Jetstar’s existing services as part of our two-brand strategy, and we are responding to that demand,” he said.
The airline will undertake a refurbishment of the Gold Coast passenger lounge, currently used by Jetstar, to reopen as a Qantas Club by the end of the year. In addition, it will introduce check-in kiosks for Qantas passengers at the airport.
Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy welcomed the announcement as “further good news” for Australian domestic tourism.
“This, on the back of inbound growth (up four per cent in the first half of this calendar year) and a slowing in outbound growth, is further proof of the resilience and prospects of the Australian tourism industry,” he said.
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