QantasLink Network and Schedule Changes Affect Central Queensland Airports

From:  http://www.qantas.com.au/
Date:  Tuesday 25 November

File photo by Anthony Schulz  ©

QantasLink has announced changes to our network and schedule to increase efficiency and better match capacity with demand.

We've done a complete rebuild of our turboprop network and schedule from the bottom up to ensure we have the right aircraft on the right route – matching capacity with customer demand.

We're increasing the utilisation of our aircraft, similar to the changes made in Qantas International and Domestic.

More than 10 regional centres across our network will benefit from the changes we are implementing via upgauges to our Q400 aircraft, including Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Emerald, Weipa, Horn Island, Rockhampton, Mt Isa, Townsville, Moranbah, and Mackay coastal services.

Summary of network and schedule changes:
- Coastal route from Brisbane – Gladstone – Rockhampton – Mackay – Townsville – Cairns will experience most capacity reductions including:
- Cessation of Gladstone – Rockhampton services
- Rockhampton to Mackay services reduced from a double daily service to single daily
- Mackay to Townsville services reduced from four per day to three per day, however, partially offset by increase in gauge to all Q400 services
- Cairns to Townsville services reduced from seven per day to five per day, however, partially offset by increase in gauge to all Q400 services
- Brisbane – Gladstone, Brisbane – Rockhampton, and Brisbane – Biloela services will be reduced marginally to match capacity to demand.
- Brisbane – Newcastle will experience material growth in seats with increased gauge to Q400 services, partially offsetting reduction in Jetstar capacity.
- Two Q300s will be relocated and based in Adelaide. All QantasLink services out of Adelaide will be operated by Q300 aircraft, as the Q400 currently in Adelaide will be relocated to Queensland.
- The two Q300s in Adelaide will allow QantasLink to look at new route opportunities in South Australian regional markets. We are in discussions with a number of stakeholders and expect to announce a new route in the coming weeks
- Both Cairns to Weipa and Horn Island services will be upgraded to Q400 aircraft with a marginal reduction in frequency.
- All QantasLink services out of Perth will be operated by either QantasLink B717s or F100s operated by Qantas Group airline Network Aviation.

We plan to publish the new schedule around Thursday 4 December 2014, with the network changes coming into effect on Sunday 29 March 2015.

All customers with existing bookings for travel on/after Sunday 29 March 2015 will be re-accommodated onto suitable other services.