The carrier is launching up to five weekly flights between Hobart and Brisbane, three weekly flights between Hobart and Canberra and up to four weekly flights between Launceston and Sydney.
Today (December 4, 2020), Qantas announced that they will increase connectivity to Tasmania with the addition of three new routes. For the first time in sixteen years, the carrier will offer up to four weekly direct flights from Launceston to Sydney. From Hobart, the carrier will offer up to five weekly flights to Brisbane as well as three weekly flights to Canberra. All the new flights will be operated with a dual-class QantasLink Boeing 717 featuring 12 Business and 98 Economy Class seats, providing around 2,500 seats weekly across the three routes. The three new routes were launched today and the flight from Launceston to Sydney received a traditional water cannon salute to mark the route’s inauguration. Due to exceptional demand on the Launceston-Sydney route, Qantas will extend flights beyond the initial eight week period through at least October 2021. In Friday’s announcement, Qantas’ Executive Manager, Sales and Distribution, Igor Kwiatkowski, said,
“As the national carrier, we have an important role to play in helping the industry recover from COVID-19. Ongoing international border closures mean Australians are more inspired than ever to explore their own backyard. We want to help kickstart that boom and will be working with our tourism partners to promote the best of Tasmania’s unspoiled landscape, fine foods and fresh produce to travellers around Australia. These new flights also provide business travellers with more premium travel options, with a checked baggage allowance, inflight entertainment and food and drinks all included, as well as the option to fly or upgrade to Business.
“We know there’s a huge pent up demand for travel. We’ve seen a strong response from travellers since these routes went on sale and have extended the new Launceston service to operate beyond the initial eight-week period. These flights will see more families and friends reconnect, deliver a boost for local businesses and help get more of our people flying again.”
Today’s inaugural flights follow the recent launch of two other Qantas Group routes from Hobart including service to Perth with Qantas and to Gold Coast with Jetstar. To celebrate the new routes, Qantas has launched a “See More Australia” sale, inviting travelers to explore more of their own backyard in 2021. The special introductory fares will be on sale through December 7th for travel from February to June 2021. While available, one-way flights between Brisbane and Hobart can be booked from $189, Canberra-Hobart flights from $229 and flights between Sydney and Launceston from $139.
Since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Qantas has introduced a comprehensive health and safety program called ‘Fly Well’ to ensure the wellbeing of guests and team members throughout their journey. Additionally, the airline has implemented a new level of booking flexibility, including the ability to move a flight free of charge, so customers can plan their travel with confidence.
Source: Qantas