The Glitter Strip’s famous sun, sand and theme parks are now less than two hours away with new flights between Townsville and the Gold Coast starting today.

Northern Territory-based airline Airnorth will operate the new service twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays from 3 April to 20 October 2019.

The new service provides a direct link between the two regional Queensland cities. Airnorth already flies from Darwin to Townsville, and this service will now continue on to the Gold Coast.

Townsville Airport Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gill said he was confident the quick and easy connection between Townsville and the Gold Coast would prove popular.

“We are delighted to expand our close partnership with Airnorth which commenced services from Darwin to Townsville in 2012 and now includes Toowoomba and from today the Gold Coast,” he said.

“Now we have a link between some of Queensland’s best assets, the Gold Coast’s beaches and the Great Barrier Reef, and two of its largest population centres. This is a plus for holidaymakers and the ever-growing business market.

“Until now, passengers from Townsville have been forced to fly to Brisbane before driving to the Gold Coast and northern NSW.”

Passengers flying to the Gold Coast will be treated to a warm welcome as they board the plane in Townsville, with celebratory cake and a goodies bag from Destination Gold Coast, while their aircraft will be heralded with a traditional water cannon display upon arrival in south east Queensland.

Airnorth Chief Executive Officer Daniel Bowden will join passengers on the inaugural flight.

“The additional service means Airnorth is supporting Queensland by providing up to 25 flights weekly in, and around the state,” he said.

“Customers will experience a high-quality, full-service carrier that includes smaller check-in queues, state-of- the-art jet aircraft, no middle seats and free 20kg checked luggage.”

The Airnorth service – introduced ahead of the busy Easter holiday period – will depart Darwin and travel to Townsville for a short 30-minute stopover before ongoing to the Gold Coast. It will then retrace its route on the same day.

Airfares from Townsville to Gold Coast will start at $169.

Airfares from Darwin to Gold Coast will start at just $219.  

A major ticketing sale will run from April 3 to 10, 2019 mark the start of the service.

Airnorth, which has been operating in Australia for 40 years, runs a modern fleet of E170 Embraer 76-seat jet aircraft.

Flight bookings include free 20kg checked luggage, complimentary refreshments and are also available under Qantas code share arrangements, allowing passengers to earn status and frequent flyer points.

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