The Eurobodalla’s tourist operators are a step closer to capitalising on the Middle East and European markets, after news those air routes would be open to and from Canberra next year.
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The deal would also open up more of the Asian market, augmenting the recent introduction of flights to and from Singapore and New Zealand.
In a further boost to the domestic market, Canberra Airport will also open up to the Western NSW travel route in the New Year.
The airport said Qatar Airways had committed to a new Doha-to-Canberra service in 2017 and 2018.
Canberra Airport managing director, Stephen Byron, said Canberra would be Qatar Airways’ fifth destination in Australia.
“We can’t think of a more suitable addition than the national capital,” Mr Byron said.
The airline now flies to Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide and is likely to fly into Canberra in the late evening “to take advantage of our curfew free status”.
“The fact that we don’t have a curfew means that there is enormous flexibility in airline planning,” Mr Byron said.
“We have been talking to a range of different airlines, and always hoped that other airlines would follow Singapore Airlines, which has been operating highly successfully since September.”
This is not just a wonderful boost for Canberra, but for the whole south eastern region
- Stephen Byron
The Eurobodalla’s tourist operators have been encouraged to take advantage of the Singapore market, with some businesses reporting a quick increase in visitors from that area.
Canberra Airport has also welcomed FlyPelican’s plans to begin daily flights between Canberra and Dubbo in the New Year.
Mr Byron, said FlyPelican would begin services linking Newcastle, Canberra and Dubbo on January 30.
“This is not just a wonderful boost for Canberra, but for the whole south eastern region”, Mr Byron said.
“The one hour service, at optimum flying times, opens the whole district west of Canberra to tourism and business.”
He said the Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines deals would also provide “a seamless transition in their Jetstream 32 aircraft between Newcastle, Canberra and Dubbo, effectively opening up the whole State to travellers and businesses”.
The shire’s businesses hope to lure them east.
