New daily flights from Coffs Harbour to Brisbane could open up the North Coast to a suite of new tourism and business opportunities, Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker said.
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“Holidaymakers, weekender travellers and the business community should be rejoicing at this great news announced today with a big hole in the transport market filled,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
After many months of negotiations an agreement has been reached Fly Corporate to start its direct air service between Coffs Harbour and Brisbane on April 11.
The schedule includes a Monday to Friday daily return flight, departing Coffs Harbour at 7:15am and returning from Brisbane at 5:30pm.
There will also be a Saturday Coffs Harbour to Brisbane flight at 7.15am and a Sunday Brisbane to Coffs Harbour flight at 5.30 pm operated by a Saab 340B Plus aircraft.
“I have spoken to Fly Corporate Chief Operating Officer Andrew Webb and he has expressed confidence in the support this route will receive from the public,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“There is a real feeling of excitement because of the economic growth potential it can bring to the North Coast.
“While other regional airlines are struggling, Coffs Harbour is supporting its regular flights to Sydney and to Melbourne, which started via carrier Tiger Air last year, and we’ve now lured another operator to fill the gap in air services to the north.
“This is a commercial decision by Fly Corporate, so let’s get behind the company and support the service to ensure its success,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“Direct flights to Brisbane will give business people here the chance to take day trips to Brisbane to conduct meetings and open up business opportunities for people in Queensland wanting to invest in or conduct business in Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Nambucca, Bellingen and beyond.
“Brisbane is also increasingly becoming a departure destination for international flights, so being able to fly to Brisbane from the Coffs Coast would appeal to many Australians travelling overseas.
“The Pacific Highway Upgrade is powering on to the north of Coffs Harbour, but for those motorists driving to Brisbane, there are now significant delays in some parts – coupled increasingly bad traffic congestion in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, a one-hour flight is an attractive alternative.
“This new flight option may also see the number of visitors from Asia increase substantially with this direct link to Coffs Harbour, lured by the low Australian dollar and a pleasant one hour flight from Brisbane Airport,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
