Additional Aircraft to Boost Qantas Regional Services

Qantas today announced it would lease three Dash 8-300 aircraft to provide additional capacity on regional routes throughout Australia.

Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon said plans to lease the three 50-seat aircraft followed last month's announcement that Qantas would purchase two new Dash 8-300 aircraft as part of a comprehensive revamp of the airline's regional operations.

"The regional aviation industry has changed dramatically over the past few months and Qantas and its regional operator QantasLink have moved quickly to meet increased demand," Mr Dixon said.

"Since September, QantasLink has commenced services to five new ports in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland and increased capacity on many routes within its existing network."

New South Wales services to be boosted by the Dash 8-300 acquisition, include Sydney to Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Dubbo and Ballina.

Services between Melbourne and Mildura in Victoria and between Melbourne and Devonport and Burnie in Tasmania will also be increased.

In Queensland, additional services will operate to Gladstone, Cairns and Townsville. Services between Cairns and Weipa will be upgraded to the new 50-seat aircraft and non-stop Dash 8-300 services will also operate between Cairns and Hamilton Island.

The Dash 8-300 aircraft will provide additional passenger comfort with a quieter cabin environment and two flight attendants on each flight.

The increase in regional services in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland follows the recent announcement that Qantas will introduce B737 aircraft on services to Broome, Kalgoorlie and Karratha in Western Australia from February next year.