Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA) continues to soar as Australia’s fastest-growing regional airport, with Jetstar introducing its new Airbus A321 aircraft on selected routes from this Sunday.
The upgraded aircraft offers 230 seats, an increase from 186, and together with ten additional services each week will deliver a 30 per cent boost in total capacity for the Whitsundays.
This represents an extra 117,000 seats every year, opening the door for more visitors to experience the region and supporting the continued growth of one of Australia’s fastest growing tourism destinations.
Mayor Ry Collins said the investment reflects Jetstar’s strong confidence in the Whitsundays’ continued growth as a leading tourism and lifestyle destination.
“This is a fantastic vote of confidence in our region and a clear sign that demand for Whitsunday travel continues to grow,” Mayor Collins said.
“More seats mean more visitors, more opportunities for local businesses, and more reasons for Australians to choose the Whitsundays as their next getaway.”
Council’s Director of Commercial Businesses, Craig Turner, said the upgrade highlights the strength of WCA’s core markets and the airport’s strategic focus on sustainable expansion.
“Jetstar’s decision to deploy the A321s to the Whitsundays demonstrates their long-term commitment to our destination,” Mr Turner said.
“While the Whitsundays–Adelaide service will wind down early next year as part of Jetstar’s wider network optimisation, this capacity boost across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne more than offsets that change.”
Mr Turner said discussions are already underway with airlines for potential new domestic routes, with announcements expected in 2026.
“We’re in exciting talks with several airline partners about future routes that will further connect our region to key Australian cities,” he said.
“Our goal is to deliver sustainable growth that benefits the local tourism industry, supports jobs and creates more options for travellers.”
With passenger numbers continuing to climb, WCA now welcomes over half a million low-fare seats annually and is cementing its reputation as Australia’s fastest-growing regional airport by capacity.
“The introduction of Jetstar’s larger aircraft is another milestone in our success story,” Mayor Collins said.
“It reinforces that the Whitsundays is not just a dream destination – it’s a growing hub of opportunity and connection.”
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