Published Monday, 09 July, 2007 at 03:48 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
TIGER ROARS INTO QUEENSLAND REGIONS
Low cost carrier Tiger Airways will roar into Queensland with inaugural flights scheduled to start in November, in time for the peak summer holiday season.
Premier Peter Beattie and Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today welcomed the airline’s announcement that 29 weekly direct services from Melbourne would fly into regional destinations, supporting its initial thrust into the state.
Mr Beattie said the Gold Coast, Rockhampton and Mackay were the big winners in capturing flights from Tiger Airways, Australia’s newest domestic carrier.
“This announcement is a real coup for regional Queensland and shows how vital Queensland destinations are to the airline in its start-up phase,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Gold Coast will receive three direct flights daily from Melbourne and with one-way fares starting at $49.95, the low cost flights will certainly encourage more Melburnians to travel to the Gold Coast to take advantage of its beaches over the Summer period.
“Mackay and Rockhampton will also receive four non-stop weekly return services from Melbourne to support the booming economies in those centres,” he said.
Mrs Keech said the new Rockhampton and Mackay services would deliver greater competition with lower air fares that could only benefit the local communities and interstate visitors to the regions.
“Rockhampton has so many brilliant tourism destinations such as Yeppoon and Great Keppel Island, and is a southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” Mrs Keech said.
“Mackay offers memorable tourism experiences, from tropical islands and long white beaches to the hinterland and Serenity Coast.
“These qualities make Mackay and Rockhampton regions highly desirable holiday spots for Victorians.
“And with Tiger Airways offering one-way fares from $59.95, the regions become a very affordable option.
“The hard work of the regional airports involved and Tourism Queensland has paid off and we hope this is just the start of a wonderful association between Queensland and Tiger Airways,” she said.
Monday, 9 July 2007
Media Inquiries:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Keech’s office – 3225 1005
Premier Peter Beattie and Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today welcomed the airline’s announcement that 29 weekly direct services from Melbourne would fly into regional destinations, supporting its initial thrust into the state.
Mr Beattie said the Gold Coast, Rockhampton and Mackay were the big winners in capturing flights from Tiger Airways, Australia’s newest domestic carrier.
“This announcement is a real coup for regional Queensland and shows how vital Queensland destinations are to the airline in its start-up phase,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Gold Coast will receive three direct flights daily from Melbourne and with one-way fares starting at $49.95, the low cost flights will certainly encourage more Melburnians to travel to the Gold Coast to take advantage of its beaches over the Summer period.
“Mackay and Rockhampton will also receive four non-stop weekly return services from Melbourne to support the booming economies in those centres,” he said.
Mrs Keech said the new Rockhampton and Mackay services would deliver greater competition with lower air fares that could only benefit the local communities and interstate visitors to the regions.
“Rockhampton has so many brilliant tourism destinations such as Yeppoon and Great Keppel Island, and is a southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” Mrs Keech said.
“Mackay offers memorable tourism experiences, from tropical islands and long white beaches to the hinterland and Serenity Coast.
“These qualities make Mackay and Rockhampton regions highly desirable holiday spots for Victorians.
“And with Tiger Airways offering one-way fares from $59.95, the regions become a very affordable option.
“The hard work of the regional airports involved and Tourism Queensland has paid off and we hope this is just the start of a wonderful association between Queensland and Tiger Airways,” she said.
Monday, 9 July 2007
Media Inquiries:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Keech’s office – 3225 1005