Qantas has today announced it will launch flights from Sydney to Merimbula for the first time, bringing much needed competition to the route in time for the summer holidays.
From 18 December 2020, Qantas will operate four direct flights per week with its 50-seat Q300 turboprop aircraft, adding more than 400 seats on the route each week. The airline will add flights if there is strong demand.
QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the new Merimbula flights reinforced the national carrier’s commitment to helping the tourism industry recover from COVID-19.
Qantas launched two other intra-NSW routes in July, Sydney-Orange and for the first time in 15 years, Sydney-Byron Bay (Ballina). Since then, flights to Byron Bay have increased from one per day to up to four per day to meet demand.
To celebrate the new route, Qantas is launching a three-day sale with fares available from $149 one-way, unless sold out prior. Fares are available to book from today via qantas.com or through travel agents.
QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the new Merimbula flights reinforced the national carrier’s commitment to helping the tourism industry recover from COVID-19.
“With border restrictions fuelling demand for intra-state travel, we see a big opportunity to bring more tourists to Merimbula,” Mr Gissing said.
“This will be the first time that the flying kangaroo has flown to the Sapphire Coast, which will mean more competitive fares on a route that has been a monopoly for decades.
“We’ll be promoting Merimbula to millions of our frequent flyers across the state in the lead up the flights commencing.
“These new flights will help more travellers explore the beautiful beaches and unique wildlife in and around Merimbula and give locals more choice in how they get to Sydney.”
“We have a long history of serving regional Australia and we’re pleased to be able to support new routes where we see there is demand. It will also help us to get more of our people back to work,” Mr Gissing added.
