TOMORROW (Tuesday, April 1), the Whitsunday Coast Airport will see the first Tiger Air direct flight from Sydney touch down in the sunny Whitsundays.
Whitsunday Regional Council worked in partnership with Tiger Air to secure this new direct route from Sydney, into Whitsunday Coast Airport which will operate three weekly return services every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Jennifer Whitney said the new Tiger Air service would provide 56,000 additional visitor seats to the Whitsundays each year which equates to more than 1000 seats per week and an estimated increase in economic value to the region of $6 million per annum.
“The economic boost to the Whitsunday region from this new direct flight will be huge, I know local hotel and tourism operators are very happy that this direct flight is opening up the Whitsunday region to the Sydney market,” Mayor Whitney said.
“The Whitsunday region has been crying out for direct flights from major cities other than Brisbane and the opening up of the Sydney route is the start of an exciting future for the Whitsunday Coast Airport.
“Along with the added tourism benefit for the region, I know many locals will also be very pleased they can now fly directly to Sydney from the Whitsunday Coast Airport.
“The Whitsunday Regional Council is working with airlines and investors to expand existing flight routes, add new routes and develop the airport itself, with the aim of upgrading the airport to international status,” Mayor Whitney said.
“Whitsunday Regional Council is also in discussions with the Queensland Government regarding designating the Whitsunday Coast Airport as a Priority Development Area (PDA).
“A PDA for the Whitsunday Coast Airport will maximise the economic and development opportunities of this key precinct.
“It will make any potential future expansion of the terminal or runway at the airport much easier. It will also mean there is a potential in the future for the airport to be upgraded to a standard which would allow international flights.
“Whitsunday Regional Council is very pleased that the commencement of direct flights from Sydney is just the beginning of exciting times ahead for the Whitsunday Coast Airport,” she said.
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