QantasLink today celebrated its inaugural flight between Whyalla and Adelaide, providing customers with more travel options as part of its growth strategy in South Australia.
QantasLink now offers a double-daily service on its 50-seat Q300 aircraft, providing 1300 seats a week – more than 65,000 seats a year.
Speaking at the launch event in Whyalla, QantasLink Chief Executive Officer John Gissing said the new route was a clear indication of the airline’s confidence in South Australia’s regional business and leisure tourism market.
“We believe the service will expand business and tourism opportunities to South Australia’s third most populous city,” Mr Gissing said.
“The double daily service is an enormous boost to the Whyalla community and the wider Eyre Peninsula region, providing more than 65,000 seats a year.
“QantasLink operates the largest, quietest and most comfortable aircraft on the Whyalla route. We provide a seamless experience for our customers, providing unmatched connectivity to our domestic and international services, as well as Qantas Club lounge access and the ability to earn Frequent Flyer points on all flights.”
South Australia Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell said this new route would be great for business and tourism in the region and would help boost the region’s economy.
“The Whyalla Council recently undertook a $3 million upgrade of the Whyalla Airport and QantasLink’s new service will help increase and promote business and tourism opportunities in the City and region,” said Minister Bignell.
“Whyalla has great seafood and coastal experiences and is a launch point for the Eyre Peninsula and Outback including the Flinders Ranges and the Gawler Ranges. The new flights will definitely help bring more visitors to the region.
“I want to congratulate the Whyalla Council and QantasLink for this wonderful initiative. I look forward to working with QantasLink on other possible regional destinations in South Australia.”
Whyalla City Council Mayor Jim Pollock said the new service benefits local businesses and tourism operators as it fosters more opportunities for people to visit, experience and do business in Whyalla.
“Whyalla City Council is pleased to welcome the services of QantasLink to Whyalla,” Councillor Pollock said.
“Given Whyalla’s location and proximity to major industry, it makes sense to have a competitive airline market for business people and executives, as well as the residents of Whyalla.
“The council looks forward to working with QantasLink for many years to come, and on behalf of the council and Whyalla’s residents, we warmly welcome QantasLink’s service and the staff that service brings with it to our city.”
To celebrate, QantasLink has launched a sale fare of $59 one way on sale until 15 April 2015 for travel between 13 April 2015 – 11 October 2015.
Whyalla is the 58th destination on the QantasLink network and the third South Australian destination after Adelaide and Port Lincoln.
Schedule:
Mon – Fri | Sat | Sun | |
Adelaide – Whyalla | QF2071 – 7.10am QF2069 – 4.25pm | QF2071 – 7.10am | QF2067 – 7.30am QF2069 – 4.25pm |
Whyalla – Adelaide | QF2072 – 8.30am QF2070 – 5.35pm | QF2072 – 8.30am | QF2068 – 8.40am QF2070 – 5.35pm |