There will be much fanfare and celebration when the first passengers disembark at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on Tuesday 21 December 2010 with the return of Jetstar's direct Ballina - Melbourne service.

"We have much to celebrate when our Melbourne visitors arrive at 10.40am on Tuesday morning and we'll welcome them by popping the champagne corks (non-alcoholic of course) and treating airport patrons to celebration cake and giveaways”, said Neil Weatherson, Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport Manager.

"In addition our passenger screening point has just been upgraded, removing a bottleneck in the terminal building, and providing our customer a much easier and stress-free checking in experience. We anticipate the upgraded screening point will also improve our on-time flight performance."

The return of Jetstar’s Melbourne service coincides with the low fares airline’s addition of five more weekly Sydney flights, representing a new high water mark for Jetstar which will now offer more than 300,000 annual seats in the Ballina-Byron market.

Jetstar Australia & NZ CEO David Hall said the exciting new growth capacity for the Northern Rivers region was in response to strong regional community and tourism industry support for increased interstate air links.

“Jetstar is providing a unique and direct low fare access from Melbourne right to the doorstep of the world-renowned and unique tourism offering of Byron Bay, Ballina and the Tweed Coast – with the new flying in place just in time for the summer holiday peak,” Mr Hall said.

“These new low fare flights will appeal to domestic and international customers, with Ballina Byron Gateway Airport a valuable gateway to Byron Bay and its surrounds.

“We continue to forge a genuine partnership in growth with the Ballina Byron and Tweed Coast region by delivering more low fare and hassle free flying, with Jetstar now its largest airline operation.”

Ballina Shire Council Mayor Phillip Silver welcomed the return of a Jetstar Melbourne service. 

“This is a great shot in the arm for our region. Community engagement with Ballina Shire residents reported heightened interest in a regular Melbourne service and early morning jet services. Jetstar’s future expansion will provide our region with more travel choice and allow the Northern Rivers tourism industry to confidently target the key Victorian market.” Mayor Silver said.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is situated five minutes from Ballina and under 30 minutes from Byron Bay.