Jetstar Cuts Mackay Airport to Gold Coast as Melbourne to Proserpine Airport Starts Next Week

Jetstar Airways announced on Thursday 18 June that they will suspend services between Mackay Airport and the Gold Coast indefinitely from September this year.

A Jetstar spokesperson said that these flights had not performed in line with the airline's expectations and continuing to operate them is unsustainable.  Passenger loads on these flights have consistently been up to 10 percentage points below their domestic average.

Meanwhile, next Thursday 25 June, Jetstar will launch the first direct flight from Melbourne (Tullaramine) to Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport.

The Whitsunday Mayor welcomed the direct flights as something that "locals having been crying out for".  Flights will run three times a week between Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Proserpine, operating each Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Of interest, Jetstar also announced a new 10 year deal with the Victoria Government that will see Jetstar services extended at Melbourne's Avalon Airport near Geelong, securing the future of Melbourne's second major passenger Airport.  As a result, Jetstar will introduce daily return services between Avalon and the Gold Coast from October 2015.