Tigerair Australia has today flown its inaugural flight from Hobart to the Gold Coast, commencing the only direct low cost service between the two destinations.
Tigerair will operate the return service four times weekly, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at times well suited to leisure travellers.
The flight was welcomed to the Gold Coast with a ceremonial water cannon salute today, with the airline’s mascot ‘Toby’ the first passenger to step off the plane.
Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton said the establishment of the service brought two key destinations together and meant Gold Coast Airport now had a direct connection to every southern capital city in Australia.
“This is great news for the Gold Coast and Hobart which will now enjoy a direct link catering to leisure travellers right in time for our peak travel period,” she said.
“Last month Tigerair celebrated 10 years since they flew their first Australian service from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, so it is great to see their success and commitment to our city continues to grow.”
Tigerair’s Hobart-Gold Coast service will see the creation of 1,400 seats between the two destinations each week.
Tigerair Head of Communications Vanessa Regan said the new services between Hobart and Gold Coast provided the most affordable and convenient connectivity between the two destinations.
“These services will provide a welcome boost for tourism in both cities and have arrived just in time for the busy summer holiday period and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April 2018,” she said.
“The Gold Coast remains one of Tigerair’s most popular year-round destinations, with the airline now regularly flying a total of 18,000 seats through Gold Coast Airport each week via Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart.”
Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said the addition of the route signalled confidence in the Gold Coast as a must-visit destination.
“Air connectivity is vital to the regions’ ability to grow the destination and Tigerair’s commitment to the route is assisting the Gold Coast meet the ever increasing demand by travellers wanting quality holidays and experiences,” he said.
“The perfectly timed announcement and affordability of the route will provide travellers with more opportunities to discover an authentic and evolved Gold Coast.”
Flights are scheduled to depart from Hobart at 8.50am (AEDT) and arrive to the Gold Coast at 10.20am (AEST). Return flights are scheduled to depart from Gold Coast Airport at 10:50am (AEST) and arrive in Hobart at 2:30pm (AEDT).
Tigerair is running a sale fare promotion to celebrate the route, for more information visit tigerair.com.au.