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Jetstar will extend its seasonal service between Cairns and the Sunshine Coast, saying demand has been “steady” in both directions.
Formerly operated by Bonza, the route was picked up by Jetstar in December 2024 and currently flies three times per week. It had been slated to end for the season in March next year, but will now be extended to October, adding more than 34,000 seats.
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“Connecting Queensland is a core part of our network, and we’re proud to work with Sunshine Coast and Cairns airports to help more people take off more for less,” said Jetstar executive manager of commercial planning, Scott Zeglin.
“Keeping these flights going through means more Jetstar customers can get home to family and friends, or lock in a Queensland holiday, on a low fare.”
Flights will pause for a “short break” over February and early March before returning on 30 March 2027. According to Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills, the extension will “give locals and visitors greater choice when travelling between two of Queensland’s leading tourism destinations”.
“Direct flights like this are incredibly valuable to our region, making it easier for people to travel for holidays, visit friends and family, and connect with other parts of Queensland,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast and Tropical North Queensland are both major tourism destinations, and having a direct link between them means travellers can spend less time connecting through other airports and more time enjoying their destination.”
The Sunshine Coast–Cairns route is one of 10 that had been operated by Bonza from its former Sunshine Coast hub until it went into voluntary administration in April 2024, and was announced that June hours after administrator Hall Chadwick announced it would seek to wind the airline up.
The extension comes despite Jetstar earlier this year announcing it would temporarily suspend the route during off-peak periods due to low booking numbers.
“Queensland remains central to Jetstar’s growth, and we have one of the most extensive Queensland networks in the country,” a Jetstar spokesperson said at the time.
“While we’ve made some difficult decisions on specific routes, our commitment to Queensland – and to making air travel affordable for Queenslanders – has never been stronger.
“Sunshine Coast is always a popular destination for Jetstar customers, and we’re committed to providing services for Sunshine Coast local residents, and for people visiting the area.”
The airline also said in June it would axe its trans-Tasman routes between Sunshine Coast and Auckland and between Cairns and Christchurch, pointing to “lower-than-expected demand” and “significant rise in operating costs, including fuel”.
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