We’re off! Qantas flights a link to Sydney, boost to Coast

VEGEMITE, Arnott’s and Bundaberg Rum. All Australian icons and all readily available on the Coast.

Thanks to plenty of hard work, the Sunshine Coast is about to see a whole lot more of another household Australian name.

Qantas yesterday announced it would introduce direct flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Sydney, six days a week.

The direct flights will cater for the growing number of interstate commuters in the region.

It’s the first time in more than a decade the flying kangaroo will service people of the Coast, with a 110-seat, Boeing 717 to depart for Sydney at 6.40am six days a week from February 8, 2016.

A corresponding return service will touch the tarmac in Marcoola at 6.15pm six days a week, offering a great opportunity for business travellers in the region.

Full-time services will start from late December with a flexible schedule to cater for the holiday period, before the business flights are launched in February.

WE SAY: Qantas’ new flights a stimulus for business

Sunshine Coast divisional councillor Jason O’Pray praised the work of Sunshine Coast Airport general manager Peter Pallot and his team, who had worked tirelessly with Qantas to secure the new services.

Flow-on benefits of the new flights included better connections to international and domestic flights and cruise ships in Sydney, and for the Coast, local accommodation demand for flight crews and increased activity at the airport.

“The new business service has been a priority for council and I commend Qantas on their commitment to, and confidence in, the region,” Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said.

“The schedule allows Sunshine Coasters to avoid highway traffic, crowds and flight delays, save money on airport parking and arrive in Sydney to do a full day’s work and return again that evening.”

Founder of The Creative Collective and The Training Collective, Yvette Adams, a Coast businesswoman for the past eight years, said the announcement would be a massive boost for hers and other businesses in the region.

“I can only see it being a positive for business both ways,” Ms Adams said.

“It makes coming and doing business on the Coast from Sydney that much easier too.”

Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman Sandy Zubrinich echoed the praise for Mr Pallot and his team and said the announcement of the added services would make doing business on the Coast seamless for Sydney-based operators.

“Anything that gives you that easy access is a great thing and likewise for Sydney businesses that want to do business on the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Zubrinich said.

** Newspaper – Sunshine Coast Daily 22/07/2015 – www.thedaily.com.au