QantasLink Services to Regional Australia

QantasLink and other operators have commenced operating interim services to 22 regional centres previously served only by Ansett and its regional subsidiaries.

Qantas Executive General Manager Subsidiary Businesses, Narendra Kumar, said the interim timetable would today provide an additional 22 services on the QantasLink network as well as 26 services to regional centres previously served by Ansett flights.

Interim services have commenced to Albany, Esperance, Geraldton, Leinster, Mt Keith, Shark Bay, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Newman, Port Hedland, Laverton, Leonora, Wiluna and Meekartharra in Western Australia.

Within New South Wales, interim services have commenced to Orange, Griffith, Lismore and Merimbula, with arrangements being finalised for interim services to Bathurst, Parkes, Moruya and Broken Hill.

Interim services in South Australia have been operated to Ceduna and Coober Pedy, with services expected to operate to Broken Hill and Roxby Downs later this week.

QantasLink has also commenced interim services between Cairns and Weipa and Brisbane and Mt Isa non-stop in Queensland.

Mr Kumar said fares for interim regional services operated by QantasLink would be offered at discounts of up to 50 per cent to Ansett ticket-holders.

"We are aware of the impact the Ansett situation will have on regional Australia and we are continuing to investigate options to meet the needs of this market on a longer term basis," he said.