Jetstar’s newest Avalon route is off to a flying start with its inaugural flight to the Gold Coast departing at near capacity this morning, full of locals on their way to sunny Southeast Queensland.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall said the low fares airline had sold more than 25,000 seats to and from the Gold Coast since fares first went on sale in July 2015.

“This is a great day for Geelong travellers who we know have been looking for a well-timed direct service to the Gold Coast for some time,” Mr Hall said.

“The Gold Coast is among the most popular destinations we fly to and we’re delighted to offer a direct low fares option that will see more local families get away and enjoy a well-earned break up north.

“Equally, visitors flying to Avalon from Southeast Queensland will also benefit from easier access to regional attractions like the world-famous Great Ocean Road, Surf Coast beaches and the Bellarine food and wine trail.

“We know Avalon has enormous potential as a regional gateway and we’re working to ensure we make the most of the extra seats these services are delivering to the region.”

Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events and Member for Lara John Eren said he was delighted to see Jetstar expand its services at Avalon Airport.

“It's a vote of confidence in our visitor economy and a big boost to the local community,” Minister Eren said.

“Avalon Airport is on the cusp of some of our most cherished tourism regions, and boasts easy access to Melbourne. It's a chance for visitors from Queensland and further afield to see for themselves we have the best of everything.”

Victorian Minister for Industry Lily D'Ambrosio said, “It’s great to see the first new Gold Coast flight take off from Avalon less than six months after the Andrews Labor Government secured an agreement with Jetstar to keep Avalon Airport operating for at least the next 10 years and save up to 200 jobs.”

The highly anticipated launch of the Avalon-Gold Coast service is the first of two new routes Jetstar will operate as part of its 10-year agreement with the Victorian Government and Avalon Airport. Jetstar will announce its third interstate destination from Avalon in the coming months, with a range of domestic destinations under consideration.

Jetstar’s outbound services depart Avalon at 10am and return flights from the Gold Coast land back in Avalon at 2:45pm. All flights are operated with Jetstar’s fleet of 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft in a single class.

When combined with its existing five-times daily services to Sydney, Jetstar now offers more than 780,000 seats a year in and out of Avalon.

The commencement of Jetstar’s Avalon-Gold Coast route closely follows Qantas’ launch of a new daily service between Melbourne Airport and the Gold Coast yesterday.

SALE INFORMATION

Special fares to mark the start of this new service are available on Jetstar.com from $49 one-way*.

* On sale from 09:00 (ADST) until 13:00 (ADST) Monday 26 October 2015, unless sold out prior. Sale may be extended. Not available on all flights or days. For travel from 4 May 2016 to 22 June 2016. Checked baggage not included, but may be added for an extra fee. Prices are based on payment by direct deposit/POLi, voucher or Jetstar MasterCard/Jetstar Platinum MasterCard for bookings through jetstar.com. For all other bookings, a Booking and Service Fee of $8.50 per passenger per flight applies.

Image 1: Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings, Victorian Minister for Industry Lily D'Ambrosio, Member for Geelong Christine Couzens, Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events and Member for Lara John Eren and Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall at the launch of Jetstar's Avalon - Gold Coast flights.

Image 2: Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall and Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events and Member for Lara John Eren celebrate the launch of new services from Avalon.