International flights will again touch down at Canberra Airport from 1 October with today’s announcement that Qatar Airways is set to recommence its once-daily connection between Doha and Canberra, via Melbourne.
It’s the second piece of good news for Canberra Airport and local travellers in two days, following yesterday’s announcement by locally-owned Link Airways that it would start a new route between Canberra and Coffs Harbour in September.
Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron said the route connecting Australia’s capital city with Qatar’s capital is an important milestone for our city to help re-establish connections on an international level, while also providing Canberrans more travel options for much-needed holidays as we reconnect with the world.
“The resumption of daily services gives over a million people who reside in Canberra and the wider region direct access to Qatar Airways’ global network of more than 150 destinations,” My Bryon said.
Canberra Airport passenger numbers are back up to 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, as of this week.
Head of Aviation Michael Thomson said the airport is now connected more than ever before with seven airlines servicing 13 domestic destinations and one international destination on a regular roster. He hopes to see more overseas flights jet off from our tarmacs in the coming months.
“We hope to see Singapore Airlines back in Canberra in the next six to 12 months, and we are looking to establish services to New Zealand and the South Pacific,” Mr Thomson said.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr welcomed the announcement and what it will mean for locals who are keen to travel again, acknowledging the reinstatement of routes both internationally and domestically has been at the forefront of the ACT Government’s pandemic recovery plan from the beginning. This newest announcement is the biggest indicator yet that the ACT tourism industry is bouncing back, he said.
“Pre-pandemic, the combined efforts of the Canberra Airport Group (CAG) and the ACT Government were in full swing to attract more carriers to Canberra. International flights mean more travellers to our city, which is a win for local businesses who benefit from increased tourism, and more airlines are a win for Canberrans who want to travel and businesses that want to export,” Mr Barr said.
Ready to pack your bags and head to the warmer climes of the Middle East? Flights to Doha will leave Canberra each day at 2.30pm, with a short stopover in Melbourne.
For more information about Qatar Airways, visit qatarairways.com
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