QantasLink is adding an extra four flights a week between Sydney and Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport and changing flight times of certain services in response customer feedback.
The regional arm of Qantas started flying to the privately-built Wellcamp Airport in November 2014 with Bombardier Q400s with an initial 11 return services a week.
From June 26, QantasLink is boosting its schedule with an extra flight on Friday evening, one more service on Saturday and two extra flights on Sunday, which represent an additional 296 seats a week.
“Demand has been strong on the Wellcamp-Sydney route, and a lot of our customers have been telling us they want additional flights over the weekends,” QantasLink chief executive John Gissing said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We’ve listened to our customers and have been able to work the schedule to put on these additional flights. We’re very happy with the way the route is performing.”
QantasLink is also moving its Friday afternoon departure from Sydney an hour earlier to 1655, while the Saturday morning flight from Wellcamp has been pushed back to 0835, from 0730 previously.
The airport’s general manager Phil Gregory said there was great support from the local community since the first flight landed on November 17 2014 and the extra flights would support tourism.
“We expect the new services will continue to drive tourism numbers but also help further facilitate business travel to and from the region,” Gregory said in a statement.
Gregory said the airport was pushing QantasLink to open up direct flights to Melbourne, with negotiations continuing.
Wellcamp Airport, Australia’s first privately-funded airport built by family-run local company Wagners, is served by QantasLink, Regional Express and fly-in/fly-out operator Avmin.
