Direct from the Adelaide vineyards to the Great Barrier Reef is now a reality after Jetstar today confirmed they will be the first airline to operate direct flights between Adelaide and Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA).
Operated by Jetstar’s Airbus A320 fleet, the new direct services will add 58,000 seats into the already booming Whitsunday tourism market.
Whitsunday Regional Council Director Commercial Businesses Craig Turner said it was exciting that after months of negotiations connectivity from the Heart of the Barossa to the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef would take off in September.
“Thanks to this partnership with Jetstar, our Whitsunday residents can now be sipping wine in the Adelaide Hills while Adelaide residents can now enjoy relaxing in the tropical Whitsundays with three direct flights weekly,” he said.
“It is important we be proactive in taking every opportunity to explore new routes that would instantly boost the Whitsunday region’s economy.
“We have gone from two airline partners and three direct flight routes in the pre-covid era to now connecting our community to eight direct destinations across five airline partners.
“Boasting direct flights to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Adelaide stamps us as one of Australia’s fastest growing regional airports.”
Turner said the new Adelaide flight is part of our broader vision for strategic growth for WCA and an ongoing commitment to not only meeting current travel demands but anticipating and fulfilling the evolving needs of visitors and our community.
“This will be a huge breakthrough for our region as it opens a direct flight route for the 1.2 million people who in live in the Adelaide region including the popular wine regions like McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and the Adelaide Hills,” he said.
“That is a huge catchment area that can now fly to the Whitsundays direct to enjoy sand, sea and sun in our tropical island paradise, in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
“Our airport isn’t just a terminal; it’s a vital gateway for connectivity to the wonders of the Whitsundays.
“I extend my thanks to the entire airport team, our partners, and our Whitsunday community. Together, we are writing the next chapter of air travel for the Whitsundays.”
Jetstar’s Customer Executive Manager, Jenny Armor, said direct flights to Adelaide for the first time will enable travellers to fly between the two cities in less than three hours.
“We’re expecting the new flights to be a huge success and we thank Adelaide Airport and Whitsunday Coast Airport for their support and work leading up to the announcement”.
The flights will go on sale in February, with fares starting at $149, and cheaper sales fares are expected to go live on the website as soon as the flights are available for booking by the end of February.
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