topend3,
Yes
VB have just started on the Sunshine Coast, but MCY council are still saying there is still room for a third carrier. They are saying there is another 100,000 - 150,000 passengers that could be carried on the MCY-SYD and MCY-MEL route. This number was quoted before the Bali attack. Council now thinks this number will increase. Qantas already has plans to increase flights to the Sunshine Coast with more Australians holidaying at home rather than OS.
Two years ago Qantas and Ansett operated 1 737 each Mon-Fri with up to 2 737 flights each on both Sat and Sun on the MCY-SYD AND 1 737 flight each on the MCY-MEL on Sat and Sun. Qantas also had Sunstate operating 4-5 return Shorts flights between MCY-BNE and Ansett had Sunshine Express operating 5 return flights in a Bandit on the MCY-BNE route. Currently Qantas are operating 2 717 flights per day on the MCY-SYD plus 1 717 MCY-MEL. Sunstate no longer operate on the MCY-BNE and Sunshine now operate on 3 returns per day in a Metro.
VB have just started 1 737 flight per day on the MCY-SYD with an extra flight on Sunday. There is still room for another airline to operate 1 daily flight on the MCY - SYD route.