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Airlines ramp up flights as Queensland announces border reopening
Holdout state Queensland will finally lift border restrictions with New South Wales and Victoria, in a boost for the tourism industry.
Victoria has recovered from its long lockdown period and NSW has not notched a single Covid case where the source remains unknown for a month.
"Queensland is good to go," State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said at a media briefing.
The easing of border restrictions takes effect from 1 December.
Airlines will now ramp up flights linking the states.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all said they will increase domestic flights to and from Queensland.
"This is the news that many families have been waiting so long to hear. Based on the demand we’re seeing already, Queenslanders can expect to welcome a lot more visitors in the next few months," said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.
Qantas and Jetstar plans to operate hundreds more flights to Queensland from Sydney and Melbourne before Christmas.
Jetstar will increase services to the Gold Coast from just four current flights a week to 64.
Queensland based Virgin Australia will also resume flights from Sydney to Cairns and Hamilton Island.
Virgin Australia said it is working with Tourism and Events Queensland on various marketing initiatives to kick-start inter-state tourism.
"We recognise our role as one of Queensland’s largest employers and our ability to contribute to both the Queensland and New South Wales tourism economies," said General Manager of Network and Revenue Management, Russell Shaw.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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