Final QantasLink RPT Flight from Sydney to Gladstone Airport Touches Down Friday

As we've mentioned, QantasLink's struggling direct RPT flights between Sydney and Gladstone Airport officially ended on Friday 29 August with the final QLK2128 flight touching down from Sydney about 4.15pm.  Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOR had the dubious responsibility of operating the final flight.

The return QLK2129 departed just before 5pm, and landed back at Sydney just after 7.30pm.

The two-and-a-half hour flights were scaled back from eight to five per week in April this year due to low passenger number, with QantasLink deciding to axe the poorly performing route completely in July.

Gladstone's airport and tourism leaders supported the route but in the end it came down to passenger support.  Gladstone Airport Corporation had worked with QantasLink to support the service but in the end there just weren't enough passengers.

QantasLink's Gladstone to Brisbane flights are not affected with all 52 direct flights to Brisbane retained in a move confirming Qantas's commitment to Gladstone.

It should also be noted that QantasLink currently also operates 2-3 additional flights between Gladstone and Sydney each week that appear to be closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charters.

In light of JetGo Australia's successful RPT route proving flight from Sydney to Roma also on Friday 29 August, it is hoped that some time in the future that JetGo will pick up the route between Gladstone and Sydney, offering a direct jet-operated flight to the New South Wales capital.

File photo taken by Jamie C  ©

Watch this space!