Alliance Airlines flew into King Island from Southeast Queensland for a weekend of King Island golf – signalling the beginning of a new age of small jet travel to King Island.
“King Island has again entered the jet age and I welcome the first group of golfers down from Brisbane on the Alliance Airlines Fokker 70 jet aircraft,” Mayor Marcus Blackie said.
“Around 30 passengers arrived last Sunday on this charter. The aircraft is specially configured for generous seating and reduced ramp weight being formerly used for the Dutch royal family,”
The F70 has long-range capability and Alliance aircraft are used for non-stop services from the east coast to mine sites in Western Australia, bypassing Perth. The cabin interior can provide up to 80 people with economy seating, which can be configured or tailored as required.
“Tourism Tasmania has supported these flights with direct marketing support to Alliance Airlines for a cooperative marketing campaign, aiming to boost awareness of the Brisbane to King Island direct charter,” Mr Blackie said.
The initiative seeks to promote golf tourism on King Island through direct charter flights from Brisbane.
“The partnership aims to heighten awareness and conversion rates for the newly established flight route connecting Southeast Queensland and King Island,” Mr Blackie said. “We are hoping that we can establish at least 8-10 golf charters over the next 12 months, with the aim of at least one charter a month, excluding winter. Furthermore,
“I also see this as an opportunity to develop our working relationship with Alliance Airlines and the possibility of the holy grail of short-haul jet travel one day returning.”