54,000 Extra Seats To The Whitsundays
54,000 additional passengers are expected to reach the stunning Whitsundays each year following the addition of three new Virgin Australia flights last month.
Departing Brisbane on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, the B737-800 aircraft will drop passengers at the Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA) where the airport has recorded positive growth in passenger numbers for seven consecutive years.
“Whitsunday Coast Airport continues to be one of the fastest growing regional airports in Australia with a new annual passenger number record” said Mayor Andrew Willcox.
“We are catering for further growth with a recent runway upgrade and terminal expansion ensuring visitors to our region enjoy a positive experience when transiting,
“These record numbers are even more impressive when you consider the challenging period our community endured in the wake of the impacts of Cyclone Debbie,” said Mr Willcox.
The Mayor joined Whitsunday Council CEO Barry Omundson and WCA general manager Brian Joiner at the time of the Virgin announcement.
"I am grateful for the support and confidence Virgin has shown in the ability of our region to continue to grow,
"Our airport team is also exploring options with airlines for commencement of a Whitsundays-Cairns direct flight to link with international services,” said Mr Willcox.
Natassia Wheeler, general manager at Tourism Whitsunday, shared her enthusiasm on the announcement which is expected to bring more than $30 million of additional economic spend to the region.
“Everyone at Whitsunday Regional Council, and especially the airport team, should be congratulated on this fantastic result,” she said.
“The fact that a record number of people have passed through Whitsunday Coast Airport in the last financial year is a clear demonstration that what we are doing as an industry is working,
“It is also a positive sign for our tourism operators and other related stakeholders that their resilience during recent challenging times is paying dividends.”
(6th August 2018)