Jetstar's First Cairns-Sunshine Coast Flights for Christmas
Last night the inaugural Jetstar flight from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast took off, connecting families and friends just in time for Christmas.
Sunshine Coast Airport
Onboard the flight were numerous families travelling for early Christmas gatherings, as well as tourists appreciating the direct connection.
The new Jetstar service will operate three times a week, increasing to four during the summer school holidays, creating an affordable link between two of Queensland’s most popular tourism destinations.
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills welcomed the new service, highlighting its positive impact on Queensland’s tourism industry.
“This new route brings people closer together, providing families with an easy, affordable way to be together over the holiday season and beyond,” Mr Mills said.
“It supports Queensland’s tourism industry by connecting domestic and international travellers with two great destinations. This allows them to stay longer, spend more, and explore the regions.”
On 13 December, Jetstar will also introduce the Sunshine Coast Airport’s first year-round trans-Tasman service, with flights to and from Auckland three times weekly.
Jetstar’s Executive Manager, Customer, Jenn Armor said the airline is excited to be offering more budget-friendly holiday options for customers in time for Christmas.
“Cairns and the Sunshine Coast are two of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations – with stunning beaches, swimming spots and scenery.
“These new flights are expected to be popular with both interstate and overseas tourists and we thank the Queensland Government, and the Sunshine Coast and Cairns airports for their ongoing support of low fares travel.
“Today’s launch is the start of an exciting fortnight for Jetstar, with the airline set to launch four new routes as its massive network growth continues."
What does this mean for the Sunshine Coast?
Mayor Rosanna Natoli welcomes the new service.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said Jetstar’s new Cairns-Sunshine Coast service would be a great connector for two of Queensland’s iconic holiday hot spots.
“The flight connection from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns is a big win for Queensland.
“The state has set the vision for Queensland to be Australia’s destination of choice for domestic and global visitors and to grow the overnight visitor expenditure to more than $44 billion a year by 2032.
“This service means that Queenslanders and visitors can explore and enjoy even more of the sunshine state when booking their next trip.
“As Cairns is an important gateway to Australia for international visitors, the direct flight link will also enable more international visitors to connect directly to the Sunshine Coast, which is a significant win for our region.
“The Sunshine Coast has so much to offer, with year-round swimming conditions at our beautiful beaches, and exploring and hiking through the Sunshine Coast hinterland and the Glass House Mountains.
“The region also caters to those looking for family-friendly experiences like the iconic Australia Zoo, Aussie World and The Ginger Factory.
“With our ancient volcanic peaks, whispering subtropical rainforests, spectacular waterfalls with secret swimming holes, and of course, our sensational beaches our Sunshine Coast Biosphere is a haven of natural wonders and outdoor adventure.”
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said Jetstar’s service to the Sunshine Coast would create new holiday options for a raft of travellers.
“While Cairns and the Sunshine Coast are both coastal, they’re quite different destinations offering unique, sought-after attractions. Jetstar’s new, direct flights mean visitors can enjoy the highlights of both regions easily and affordably, encompassing all of Queensland’s unforgettable experiences, from the Great Barrier Reef to exhilarating surf beaches.
“The new flights will also be ideal for those who travel often between our regions to visit relatives and friends.”
