By Alesha Capone
Jetstar will resume flights from Avalon to the Gold Coast in January next year.
A Jetstar spokesperson said the airline would operate four weekly return services a week and would look to increase services based on demand.
“This will mark the first time we have flown this route since March,” the spokesperson said.
“We are excited to help more families and friends reconnect and help to boost local tourism in Geelong and the region during the school holidays.”
Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings said he was thrilled that Jetstar would resume Gold Coast flights from January 1.
“This is a hugely popular route for our passengers, and the timing is perfect for summer holidays after such a difficult 2020,” Mr Giddings said.
“Our airport experience will utilise touchless check-in and upgraded faster security screening.
“With flights to the Gold Coast starting at just $99, flying at peak periods has never been more affordable.”
Mr Giddings said that to celebrate the announcement, Avalon Airport would extend its $5 a day car parking until the end of February.
Overall, Qantas and Jetstar will start operating more than 160 flights per week from Melbourne, as of December 1.
Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said: “Based on the demand we’re seeing already, Queenslanders can expect to welcome a lot more visitors in the next few months.
“We can’t wait to see a repeat of the heartwarming scenes in Melbourne and Sydney this week with families reuniting after months apart, this time in Queensland.
“Australia as a whole needs certainty about state borders staying open, particularly when the testing and tracing framework is now so well established. We renew our calls for a consistent set of rules that apply nationwide.”
