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The first direct flight between Canberra and Ballina/Byron Bay departed on Friday, with return flights between the ACT and the sunny far north NSW coastline to now depart three times per week.
For the first time, Canberrans looking to holiday in the sunny far north NSW region of Ballina and Byron Bay will be able to fly direct, with a flight time of a little over two hours.
For its inagural flight on the route, FlyPelican’s Jetstream 32 took off from the nation’s capital at 8:56am Friday morning, and was due to land at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport around 11:10am.
Head of aviation Michael Thomson said Canberra Airport’s new flights to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport has received support, as they open for passengers just in time for the commencement of the ACT winter school holidays.
“The warm sunshine of the far north NSW coast is calling Canberrans, the stunning Ballina, Byron Bay, Tweed Heads area of northern NSW are now within our reach in only two hours with Fly Pelican,” Thomson said.
“Everyone wants a holiday this time of year and with school holidays coming up and the flight schedule designed to allow for luxurious long weekends, flights are filling up fast.
“These flights provide a great opportunity to bring visitors to each of the Canberra and Northern Rivers regions — for a greatly-needed boost to each local economy.”
According to Thompson, tickets will start from $299 one-way, with flights departing every Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Qantas launches direct Sydney – Ballina route
Meanwhile, Qantas has also announced a new direct flight into the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, with new flights departing Sydney.
Wednesday saw the Flying Kangaroo touch down in the northern NSW coastal airport for the first time in 15 years.
QantasLink will service daily return flights between Sydney and Ballina (Byron Bay) with its Q400 aircraft.
Services will run in addition to pre-existing flights to Ballina from Sydney and Melbourne on the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Jetstar.
Qantas stated that the new route was launched in an attempt to “reboot the local tourism industry’s post-COVID recovery”.
