2025 is off to a flying start with Jetstar announcing an additional 34,000 seats between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne. These new seats will uplift capacity by 14% between the two destinations compared to the same time in 2024.
The change is set to commence in March and will operate until June 2025 thanks to a combination of new flights and the use of the larger Airbus A321.
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills said the additional capacity was a welcome start to 2025.
“Melbourne is an important market for our airport. An additional 34,000 seats will improve connectivity with more flights and flexibility for thousands of travellers every week,” Mr Mills said.
“The Sunshine Coast is an incredible holiday destination and it’s not surprising our friends in Melbourne want to visit our incredible beaches, hinterland and unique experiences. This connection offers immense benefit to tourism operators, local businesses and families.
“Jetstar’s announcement is another vote of confidence in the region and will support greater connectivity in 2025.”
This announcement comes following the launch of new Jetstar services to Cairns and Auckland late last year with strong passenger demand for both services.
Jetstar’s Executive Manager, Commercial Planning, Lyle Brownscombe said: “We expect strong demand for low fares travel to continue this year in and out of the Sunshine Coast.
“This extra 34,000 low fares seats on Jetstar between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne between March and June will provide our customers with even more travel options.”
Ends
Background:
- Jetstar has added more than 34,000 new low fares seats between Sunshine Coast and Melbourne this year to cater for expected strong demand.
- The low-cost carrier has created the additional capacity between March and June by scheduling more than 140 new evening flights and upgrading more than 170 previously scheduled services from A320s to its larger A321 aircraft.
- With the additional capacity, Jetstar will offer a total of more than 350,000 seats between Sunshine Coast and Melbourne this year.
- There is currently one-way fares available between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne from just $111 for travel dates between mid-January and early April at jetstar.com
- It follows a period of significant growth for Jetstar on the Sunshine Coast with new direct services launching between Sunshine Coast and Auckland and Cairns last year.
About Sunshine Coast Airport
Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast with more than 1.8 million passengers passing through the terminal in FY24. SCA connects the Sunshine Coast community to five domestic and international destinations (Adelaide, Auckland, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney) and is supported by five airlines (Air New Zealand, Alliance, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia).
In July 2023, Sunshine Coast Airport was declared a Priority Development Area (PDA), with a new Development Scheme taking effect on Friday 27 September 2024. The Development Scheme will unlock opportunities that attract investment, drive economic growth and create jobs on and off airport. By 2040, it is estimated the airport will directly contribute $460m in total to Australia’s GDP. Jobs on airport are forecast to grow to 2,400 by 2040 and support a total of 3438 jobs (direct and indirect).
Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd operates and manages Sunshine Coast Airport, the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, under a 99-year lease from Sunshine Coast Council which commenced in December 2017.
Media contact: Ethan Clissold
Phone: 0423 198 808
Email: [email protected]
