Wirraway
20th Sep 2004, 14:02
http://www.mackayports.com/Airport/index.asp
Virgin to start 'early bird' service
Monday, 20 September 2004
The Mackay Port Authority (MPA) has been successful in negotiating the reintroduction of an ‘early bird’ passenger service between Mackay and Brisbane.
Virginblue today announced it would start the new 6.10 a.m. service on November 26.
Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the service would be welcomed with open arms by business and leisure travellers.
The service will generate about 2000 extra seats each week into and out of Mackay – that’s 40 000 more visitors to our region each year.
“Cheaper fares, once again stimulated by competition, are giving people in the Mackay community a better quality of life through additional and affordable options -- whether it’s to go to sporting events, seek specialist medical care, visiting family and friends or going on holidays,” Mr Taylor said.
The new service will depart Mackay at 6.10 a.m. and arrive in Brisbane at 7.30 a.m. The additional evening flight will leave Brisbane at 7.15 p.m. and arrive in Mackay at 8.45 p.m.
Virgin’s decision to commit to the 6.10 a.m. flight follows months of negotiations with the MPA and the added bonus of a $75 000 marketing and incentive package offered to all airlines last week.
“The package was offered to Qantas, Jetstar and Virginblue,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’m pleased to say Virgin has jumped at the opportunity to introduce the early morning service.”
Mackay City Council has committed $50 000 to the marketing package. The MPA and the Mackay Chamber of Commerce will add a further $25 000.
“The Mackay Port Authority and the Mackay City Council are committed to boosting investment and employment opportunities in the region,” Mr Taylor said.
“In partnership we have an opportunity to attract as many visitors to Mackay as possible -- whether they are on holidays or on business or visiting friends and relatives in order to showcase our region.
“This will lead to additional investment and development of the Mackay Region as has happened in places like the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and the Whitsundays”.
Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the early morning service would open connecting services and fares to and from new destinations such as Tasmania, New Zealand, Fiji and Vila.
“It provides more connecting services to destinations which have through fares available such as Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth,” he said.
“The new services are a response to community demand for a reinstatement of the early morning and late evening overnight service.
“Virgin Blue has made it clear that the new services are a trial and the continuation will depend on community support of both services and the Virgin Blue morning and afternoon services.
“There are also direct and immediate economic benefits for Mackay with 12 crew requiring meals and accommodation in Mackay.
The MPA has injected more than $1.5 million since 2001 into airline incentive and rebate programs and extensive marketing campaigns.
More than 550 000 passengers are expected to pass through the Mackay Airport this year – an increase of 104 per cent in only three years. The new services have the potential to add another 80 000 passengers a year.
In August alone 49 000 passengers passed through Mackay Airport. Last week the total jumped to 11 300.
The Mackay Port Authority would like to especially thank the Mackay City Council, Mackay Chamber of Commerce and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin for their support throughout the campaign to have these services reinstated.
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Virgin to start 'early bird' service
Monday, 20 September 2004
The Mackay Port Authority (MPA) has been successful in negotiating the reintroduction of an ‘early bird’ passenger service between Mackay and Brisbane.
Virginblue today announced it would start the new 6.10 a.m. service on November 26.
Mackay Port Authority chairman John Taylor said the service would be welcomed with open arms by business and leisure travellers.
The service will generate about 2000 extra seats each week into and out of Mackay – that’s 40 000 more visitors to our region each year.
“Cheaper fares, once again stimulated by competition, are giving people in the Mackay community a better quality of life through additional and affordable options -- whether it’s to go to sporting events, seek specialist medical care, visiting family and friends or going on holidays,” Mr Taylor said.
The new service will depart Mackay at 6.10 a.m. and arrive in Brisbane at 7.30 a.m. The additional evening flight will leave Brisbane at 7.15 p.m. and arrive in Mackay at 8.45 p.m.
Virgin’s decision to commit to the 6.10 a.m. flight follows months of negotiations with the MPA and the added bonus of a $75 000 marketing and incentive package offered to all airlines last week.
“The package was offered to Qantas, Jetstar and Virginblue,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’m pleased to say Virgin has jumped at the opportunity to introduce the early morning service.”
Mackay City Council has committed $50 000 to the marketing package. The MPA and the Mackay Chamber of Commerce will add a further $25 000.
“The Mackay Port Authority and the Mackay City Council are committed to boosting investment and employment opportunities in the region,” Mr Taylor said.
“In partnership we have an opportunity to attract as many visitors to Mackay as possible -- whether they are on holidays or on business or visiting friends and relatives in order to showcase our region.
“This will lead to additional investment and development of the Mackay Region as has happened in places like the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and the Whitsundays”.
Airport general manager Trevor Heard said the early morning service would open connecting services and fares to and from new destinations such as Tasmania, New Zealand, Fiji and Vila.
“It provides more connecting services to destinations which have through fares available such as Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth,” he said.
“The new services are a response to community demand for a reinstatement of the early morning and late evening overnight service.
“Virgin Blue has made it clear that the new services are a trial and the continuation will depend on community support of both services and the Virgin Blue morning and afternoon services.
“There are also direct and immediate economic benefits for Mackay with 12 crew requiring meals and accommodation in Mackay.
The MPA has injected more than $1.5 million since 2001 into airline incentive and rebate programs and extensive marketing campaigns.
More than 550 000 passengers are expected to pass through the Mackay Airport this year – an increase of 104 per cent in only three years. The new services have the potential to add another 80 000 passengers a year.
In August alone 49 000 passengers passed through Mackay Airport. Last week the total jumped to 11 300.
The Mackay Port Authority would like to especially thank the Mackay City Council, Mackay Chamber of Commerce and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin for their support throughout the campaign to have these services reinstated.
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