NEWCASTLE and Canberra will have a new air link from November after a new firm announced on Tuesday it will enter the route next month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Link Airways will fly 34-passenger Saab 340B Plus planes between the Hunter and the ACT from November 20.
The company will start with a weekly schedule of four return services, with plans to expand to 11 per week next year.
The flights are slated to leave Canberra at 6.30am and 4pm on Mondays and Fridays, arriving at 7.30am and 5pm respectively, and to leave Newcastle at 8am and 5.30pm for 9am and 6.30pm arrivals.
The route is already served by Hunter-based airline FlyPelican, who reinstated their Canberra services in April after receiving a subsidy from the federal government when Virgin, Jetstar and QantasLink had suspended their Newcastle flights.
Link Airways chief executive Andrew Major said the Canberra-owned airline was proud to enhance the connection between the two areas after years of research identified strong demand.
"The airline had received numerous approaches from parties that travel regularly between Canberra and Newcastle seeking additional capacity and a larger range of fares on the route," Mr Major said.
"The Saab 340B Plus aircraft with full inflight cabin service will significantly enhance the offering on this route".
Newcastle Airport chief executive Dr Peter Cock said he looked forward to working with the company "and all of our partner airlines to rebuild connections between our region and the rest of the country in the coming weeks and months".
"At a time when we can see some hope on the horizon for the aviation industry, this is great news for both regions," Dr Cock said.
"Our airport is surrounded by the largest regional economy in the country with a catchment that has a high propensity to travel."
