TAS: 11% lift in Hobart Airport numbers
Hobart Airport will welcome a record one million seats this summer on flights to and from Hobart.
This is an 11 per cent increase on last summer and the largest summer schedule on record for the airport.
Jane Howlett (pictured), Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, said it is an historic milestone for Tasmania’s aviation connectivity.
“For the first time ever, we have more than one million seats scheduled into Hobart Airport over a single summer season,” Ms Howlett said.
“This is a tremendous vote of confidence in Tasmania as a destination.”
Ms Howlett said the Tasmanian Government was unlocking even more seats with the expansion of the Aviation Attraction Fund.
“The domestic component of the guidelines has now been extended to include existing routes, including between Melbourne and Tasmania, promoting growth in our biggest visitor markets,” Ms Howlett said.
“Expanding the guidelines in this way will encourage more visitors to Tasmania.
“I encourage all Tasmanian airports to review the newly amended guidelines and to work closely with airlines on preparing further applications.”
Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s improved Aviation Attraction Fund guidelines.
“This small change will have a big impact,” Mr Carter said.
“This will potentially unlock tens of thousands more seats on the most popular flights to and from Hobart, including to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
“These are also the most valuable routes, connecting Tasmania to more than 70 other destinations across the world.
“This is great news for Tasmanian travellers, and for our local tourism and hospitality businesses too.”
In October, the Tasmanian Government announced, in partnership with Hobart Airport and Jetstar, the launch of a new direct seasonal Hobart–Newcastle route, secured through the Fund.
“We were thrilled to welcome the first flight from Newcastle to Hobart on December 2, which undoubtedly contributed to achieving the record numbers for Hobart this summer,” Ms Howlett said.