Tamworth to Sydney flights: Qantas returns four return services each week amid coronavirus crisis
TRAVELLERS can pack their bags as Qantas increases its Sydney to Tamworth flights from two to six each week.
The returned regional services are thanks to an ease in COVID-19 travel restrictions across the country and will be back from June and July.
Already Qantas has seen a big increase in customer bookings in the weeks and months ahead, chief executive Alan Joyce said.
"We are gradually adding flights in June as demand levels increase, which will go from five per cent of pre-crisis levels currently to 15 per cent by late June," he said.
"We can quickly ramp up flying in time for the July school holidays if border restrictions have eased more by then.
"Normally, we plan our capacity months in advance, but in the current climate we need to be flexible to respond to changing restrictions and demand levels."
Flights to Tamworth airport were slashed in March, including the hyped new Brisbane route.
After the government underwrote the aviation giant and its competitor Virgin Australia, a limited weekly return service with stops in Dubbo was returned in April.
Tamworth Regional Council's budget has taken a significant $1.7 million hit this quarter as a result of the cease fire on business at the airport.
Mayor Col Murray said it's fantastic news that travellers can get a reasonable suite of flights to Sydney, but that it would be up to individuals to manage the spread of COVID-19.
"We hope people will use the service but I think it will take a little while," he said.
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"Qantas no doubt will have a strong plan that protects their customers and I think we all have personal responsibility to social distance and wash our hands.
"We all have a role to play in the recovery and to get the economy on the move again."
The decision will help stabilise about 100 Tamworth airport jobs from security to engineers.
Armidale will also gain one extra flight to Sydney.