Australian airline Link Airways has announced the commencement of scheduled direct flights between Canberra and Hobart
Starting early December, the service will use the airline’s Saab 340B Plus aircraft.
Initially services will operate 4 days a week, on a Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday, growing to eleven return weekly services in 2021. In the event that the Tasmanian border with the ACT opens earlier than 1 December 2020, the airline will look to bring forward the scheduled commencement date accordingly.
With Tasmanian COVID-19 related state border restrictions set to be relaxed at the end of November, flights will commence on Thursday 3 December.
Flights will depart Canberra at 9.30am and arrive into Hobart at 11.35am, the return service will depart Hobart at 12.05pm arriving into Canberra at 2.05pm.
Hobart Airport Acting CEO Matt Cocker welcomed the announcement as the airport begins gearing up to accept more flights with the anticipated easing of border restrictions.
“After a very tough period, a new route announcement is a welcome shot in the arm to help Tasmanian tourism operators and business begin the road to recovery,” Cocker said.
“By cutting the travel time and the need for stopover in Melbourne or Sydney, the new path has the potential to help regrow tourism visitation to both Tasmania and the ACT and allow easier access for business travellers and those visiting friends and relatives.”
He said he looked forward to continuing to work with government to secure ‘more exciting announcements’ for the state.
Andrew Major, CEO of Link Airways said that he was ‘particularly pleased’ to announce the establishment of this exciting new route given Link Airways Canberra ownership.
Link Saab 340B Plus.
“Detailed research had identified a strong demand for direct flights between Canberra and Hobart and that the proposed service will not only facilitate travel between the ACT and Tasmania, but also provide a convenient and cost effective alternative for passengers wanting to connect to other domestic destinations,” Major said.
He also acknowledged the support provided for the establishment of the services by Canberra Airport, the ACT Government, Tourism Tasmania and the many businesses and individuals that recognise the opportunities presented for expansion of business and tourism between Tasmania and the ACT.
Canberra Airport’s Head of Aviation, Michael Thomson, also welcomed the new partnership with Link Airways and expansion of the Canberra Airport offering.
“We’re excited to partner with a local Canberra business to connect travellers with Tasmania,” he said. “Canberra tourism and business are ready to welcome back travellers to the Capital and Canberrans are ready to get away and with flights starting just before Christmas, there is no better time to book your next holiday.”
Key Facts
Start Date: Thursday 3 December (possibly earlier subject to Tasmanian border opening to the ACT before 1 December).
Frequency: Initially, four weekly return services – Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. Growing to eleven return weekly services in 2021.
Fares: $219 one-way all-inclusive Deal fares are available now.
Bookings: linkairways.com or through on-line and shop front travel agents.
Customer Service: 1300 851 269 (+61 2 6123 1999).
Canberra Connections
Thomson said a new Canberra-Maroochydore-Cairns route was another step in the airport’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
Brisbane-based Alliance Airlines will offer the service that will open up the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef without having to fly via Sydney or Brisbane. He said there were about 50,000 people who travel between the Sunshine Coast and Canberra in both directions, and the new service’s fares would be very competitive.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he was still prosecuting the bid for a Canberra-Wellington link as part of a trans-Tasman bubble, which is a matter for the Australian and New Zealand governments.
”We do so in recognition of the reality around international travel so it’s important to establish new direct flights from Canberra Airport around Australia and a medium-term objective once the Australia-NZ travel bubble opens up is to work with airport and tourism authorities on Canberra-NZ flights,” he said.
A yet unknown factor is what role a trimmed Virgin will play, now without its subsidiary Tiger, and what opportunities will emerge provide for carriers such as Alliance, Rex, Pelican and Corporate Air, all of which the Canberra Airport is talking to.
