Gold Coast Airport has welcomed today’s announcement from Tigerair Australia that the low cost carrier will commence up to four weekly return services between Hobart and the Gold Coast from December 7.

Providing a direct travel option between the two popular tourist destinations, services will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at times well suited to leisure travellers.

It means passengers now have a direct connection to the Gold Coast from every southern capital city in Australia.

Gold Coast Airport Chief Executive Officer Chris Mills said the commencement of Hobart services boosted the Gold Coast’s connectivity to a growing tourist hotspot.

“Tasmania is an increasingly popular destination for tourists and the Gold Coast is a well-established holiday location, so we expect this service will be embraced by the leisure market,” he said.

“It is great to see Tigerair strengthen its commitment to the Gold Coast and we look forward to welcoming Tasmanians here for some surf, sand and sun this summer.”

Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones said the new flights into the Gold Coast would further boost the destination’s reputation in Tasmania.

“In securing these new Tigerair flights from Hobart, Gold Coast Airport has created a new option for Tasmanians wanting to come north which will ultimately give the local tourism industry a boost,” Ms Jones said.

“The latest domestic tourism numbers show 45,000 Tasmanians visited the Gold Coast in the past year, an increase of seven per cent.

“We know people in the southern states want to come to Queensland to escape the winter cold and enjoy our warm tropical climate.

“The Gold Coast – with its world-class beaches, beautiful hinterland and amazing scenery – is the ideal place to do just that.”

Tigerair Australia Acting Chief Executive Officer Peter Wilson said the airline was thrilled to be providing the only direct, low cost link between two very popular travel destinations, providing faster, cheaper access to both cities for tourist, budget and leisure travellers.

“Queensland continues to be an integral part of our network with already over 60 per cent of all services touching the sunshine state. The Gold Coast was the very first destination we flew to when services first commenced in Australia in November 2007 and it has always been one of our most popular year round family and leisure destinations.

“Tigerair already provides around 16,000 visitor seats weekly through Gold Coast Airport and that number is set to rise with these new services announced today providing an additional 1,440 visitor seats weekly through Gold Coast Airport.

“Our great value fares grow and stimulate air travel in this country. These new flights launching in December provide a welcome boost for tourism in both cities, covering the upcoming peak summer holiday travel period and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April.”

Tigerair’s services will depart Hobart at 8:50am (AEDT) to arrive into the Gold Coast at 10:20am (AEDT). The return services depart Gold Coast Airport at 10:50am (AEDT) and arrive into Hobart at 2:30pm (AEDT).

Gold Coast Airport welcomes more than 6.4 million passengers annually, with direct domestic services to Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Hobart, Newcastle, Adelaide and Cairns.

Gold Coast Airport is owned and operated by Queensland Airports Limited, a regional airport specialist which also operates Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports.