Qantas ups the ante in Adelaide with new jets and more routes
The E190s are 94-seat jets with a five-hour range which are being deployed on Qantas’ network as part of a three-year deal with Alliance Airlines.
“Basing these aircraft in Adelaide means we can service South Australia better and help bring more visitors to the State,” Joyce said.
“The E190 is a great aircraft for the Adelaide market, with its size, range and economics opening up a number of new destinations that wouldn’t be viable with the larger 737 aircraft.
“Instead of one or two flights a day with a larger aircraft, we can offer three or four flights a day on the E190, which gives customers a lot more choice about when they travel.
“We’re continuing to see really positive signs of sustained recovery, with strong travel demand and forward bookings expected to see our domestic capacity back above 100 per cent of pre-COVID levels in the coming months.
“That’s great progress when you consider we were as low as 20 per cent of our normal flying levels at the height of lockdown.
“The return to flying has huge flow on benefits, helping to boost tourism which is so vital to local economies and businesses around the country,” added Mr Joyce.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said: “The establishment of an Embraer E190 aircraft base is a shot in the arm for the South Australian aviation industry.
“The base will create aviation and maintenance jobs, increase tourism and position Adelaide as Australia’s regional aviation hub.
“These are important priorities for our state’s economic development and represent a strong step forward in creating direct regional and international aviation connectivity.”
The decision means Qantas will launch a new Adelaide-Gold Coast service in time for the winter school holidays.
From 25 June, South Australians will be able to fly direct to the Gold Coast with Qantas, with four return services per week, increasing to daily during school holiday peaks.
A number of additional routes from Adelaide will be announced in the coming weeks.