New flight for Hamo

THE inaugural QantasLink flight between Brisbane and Hamilton Island touched down on Friday, giving visitors more options for travelling to and from the Whitsundays.

The airline will operate four return services per week – between Fridays and Mondays – on its 74-seat Q400 aircraft, described as “ideally suited to the route”.

QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the new route was great news for customers and Whitsunday tourism.

“We know that our customers wanted a direct premium service from Brisbane to Hamilton Island, so it’s a very exciting day for us and our customers,” Mr Gissing said on Friday.

Hamilton Island CEO Glenn Bourke said he was delighted QantasLink was starting a direct service from Brisbane.

“Having celebrated the return of Qantas to the Island in July, we are delighted to welcome the additional QantasLink Brisbane – Hamilton Island service to compliment the current Qantas Sydney – Hamilton Island route,” he said.

“Given the growth and high occupancy levels we’ve experienced on Hamilton Island over the last two years, we’re confident we will be able to provide the load factor to ensure the route is successful and commercially viable for the Qantas Group.”