Both Virgin Blue and Jetstar have resumed flights to and from key North Queensland airports as Cyclone Yasi moves inland
February 4, 2011
Both Virgin Blue and Jetstar have resumed flights to and from key North Queensland airports as a weakened Cyclone Yasi tracks further inland.
Virgin has advised its services to Cairns, Townsville, Hamilton Island and Proserpine will go back to normal operations today.
Flights to all other Queensland destinations including Mackay continue to operate normally.
At 1pm the airline will operate a special flight free of charge for the Queensland Government and Emergency Response Authorities carrying 150 emergency services personnel and equipment into Cairns to assist in the Cyclone Yasi recovery.
Jetstar has also confirmed that scheduled services to Cairns, Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) and Townsville are planned to resume today, subject to the latest weather advice.
Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall says the airline is now focused on ensuring a smooth return to full scheduled operations for each market.
“The Jetstar organisation is well equipped and fully focused on ensuring a full return of its scheduled domestic and international services for Far North Queensland for the benefit of its customers and in strong support of the Queensland tourism industry,” Hall says.
“Our decision to recommence our low fare operations is based on the return to safe flying conditions and follows close liaison with our Airport partners across Far North Queensland,” he says.
“We are focused on getting Queenslanders back home and on their feet again and playing our part in rebuilding confidence and vital access for convenient air travel to and from the region.”