A Tasmania Mercury report says that regular international flights could take off from Hobart in two years, according to Hobart International Airport CEO Wayne Tucker.
Mr Tucker is also confident the airport can attract low-cost carrier Tiger Airways to the terminal, once the airline’s passenger capacity increases.
“We (have) talked to Jetstar . . . about international flights to New Zealand,” Mr Tucker said. “I know Tourism Tasmania is also (talking to Jetstar).”
Mr Tucker said potential buyers for the newly developed airport would like to see international flights introduced.
He said if regular international flights were to be introduced it would be in the next two or three years.
Mr Tucker said New Zealand was the only international destination currently being considered, adding, “Asia has been on our radar in the past but we lost out with SARS last time.”
Premier Paul Lennon said the State Government had been in discussions with airlines for the past nine years, adding, “We do continue to talk to the airlines, to try to encourage more flights into Tasmania”.
“I would like to think that we are not completely off the radar with international airlines and we could in time attract more international flights to Tasmania.”
Mr Tucker said the airport had been in talks with Tiger Airways about introducing direct flights from Melbourne to Hobart.
Tiger Airways announced in July it would introduce a daily Melbourne-Launceston shuttle, starting November 29.
Tiger Airways spokesman Tony Rasman said at the time that there were no immediate plans to provide a Melbourne-Hobart service.
Report by The Mole
