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Qantas’s regional arm QantasLink has been unveiled the first airline to offer regular public transport services from Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.
QantasLink will fly 11 flights a week between Sydney and Wellcamp – located about 20km southwest of Toowomba and 130km from Brisbane.
Flights were due to start on November 17, Qantas said in a statement on Wednesday, with double daily services during the week and one flight a day on the weekend.
The airport, scheduled to open in October, was Australia’s first privately-funded public airport. Construction and logistics group Wagner Global Services has put up more than $100 million to build the new airport, which has a 2,870 metre runway and will feature an 8,300 square metre terminal and an adjoining 500-hectare business park.
John Wagner, who is chairman of the family-run company, had said previously the airport would be used for freight services – the runway is capable of handling Boeing 747 aircraft – as well as regular passenger services.
QantasLink chief executive John Gissing said he was delighted to offer those in Toowoomba area a direct service to Sydney as well as onward connections to other domestic and international destinations on the Qantas network.
“As Australia’s largest regional airline, we understand the needs of regional Australia and we’re confident that the new route will stimulate tourism and business opportunities for the Toowoomba area,” Gissing said in a statement.
Wagner said it was a momentous occasion for Australian aviation, the Toowoomba region and the airport.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, who was at the airport for the official announcement, said the Wagner’s investment in building the airport and Qantas’s decision to begin flights there highlighted the prosperity of the Darling Downs and south western Queensland.
“It guarantees billions of dollars with of investment and secures hundreds of local hobs for south-west Queensland,” the premier said in the statement.
Sale fares are $99 one-way to Sydney, Qantas said.
Peter Jones
says:“Sale fares are $99 one-way to Sydney, Qantas said”, “11 flights a week between Sydney and Wellcamp” & “Flights were due to start on November 17”
Pity they are not available / listed on the Qantas website.
Red Barron
says:Well done Wellcamp and Qantas link. I’m sure you guys will have a winner here.
Belinda
says:I am with you Peter. There is nothing on their website and also I rang the call centre and the call centre knew nothing about the flights or tickets
Ron
says:Skytrans aint gonna like that.
Andrew
says:Skytrans apparently has now canceled sydney-toowoomba becuase it dosent want competition. this better work for qantas
sally
says:Qantaslink has pushed out Skytrans. They will be discontinuing their flights as they can’t compete
Ross
says:Will passengers be security screened?
ARLENE
says:Skytrans did not land at Sydney main airport. Where will Qantas be landing.
random
says:Skytrans should swap destination – switch out Sydney, commence flights to Newcastle from Toowoomba City Airport instead of Wellcamp. Switching planes at Newcastle is vastly easier for connecting flights than the agony of Sydney Airport, and the two cities have extensive reasons for services. They sit at either end of the New England Hwy, and are major service centres for that region, servicing family, Defence, industry, mining, education, and health. They could consider extending the run to a triangular service out to Moree, much like the old days of East West F27 triangular services.
Brett
says:Crossing fingers for people out that way. I’m from Gladstone, and have watched Qantas out-muscle all competitors for the last 15 years. Price war –> smaller airlines withdraw –> prices rise back to normal. Now we have Virgin flying here, but the net result is a duopoly, there to service the high levels of FIFO workers travel.
Thumbs up for the new airport though. Massive achievement, well done!
Michelle
says:Skytrans gone, Qantas in. Skytrans had cheaper flights at $149 1 way compared to normal flights of Qantas at $189. Skytrans were brilliant. If both were flying out of Toowoomba, I know I would go on a cheaper flight. Wont be flying Qantas anytime soon.
Michelle
says:Oh and the $99 fares from Qantas are not staying at that price. So dont get all jumpy…..its only sales flight price for a few months, then you get hit with the higher price. If Skytrans can do $149 fares why cant Qantas.?
sally
says:Skytrans would always look after the passengers though. If Qantas loses support and withdraw, stranding toowoomba, Skytrans would return no questions asked. The skytrans crew are so personable and lovely, I will miss them.
John
says:Arelene, of course Skytrans land at Sydney Main Airport.