Qantas 2006 Annual Report Download - page 18

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Regional
Australia’s largest regional carrier, QantasLink, operates more
than 1,800 fl ights each week to 48 metropolitan and regional
destinations across Australia – from Kalgoorlie in Western
Australia to Longreach in Queensland.
QantasLink became the fi rst airline in the Southern Hemisphere
to offer services on Bombardier Q400 aircraft when the fi rst of
seven aircraft arrived in January 2006. The 72-seat Q400 is the new
fl agship of the regional fl eet and the $200 million acquisition –
the single biggest investment in the Qantas Group’s regional
operations – has delivered a 44 per cent increase in capacity on
upgraded services. With its jet-like speed, the aircraft has reduced
fl ight times by up to 20 minutes and provided improved passenger
comfort and lower operating costs. Delivery of the Q400 fl eet will
be completed in October 2006.
The transition of the B717 from Jetstar to QantasLink has also
provided a boost in capacity for Northern Territory, Queensland
and Western Australia regional services. Eight B717 jets in a
115-seat confi guration have progressively replaced eight smaller
BAe146 aircraft. The leases on two remaining BAe146s expire in
December 2006.
“QantasLink demonstrates its support for regional Australia through the delivery
of sustainable air services and the employment of more than 1,000 people, many
of whom are based outside capital cities in centres such as Cairns, Mildura, Newcastle
and Tamworth.” John Borghetti, Executive General Manager Qantas
Network Developments
• Five of QantasLink’s seven Q400s have been dedicated to
Queensland operations, enabling QantasLink to provide more
than 240,000 additional seats to 12 Queensland ports including
Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville.
• The introduction of the Q400 into Canberra will add 140,000
seats annually. A new daily service from Brisbane commenced
in April 2006 and from Sydney in September 2006.
• B717s now operate services to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock/Uluru,
Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Gove, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman,
Paraburdoo, Perth and Port Hedland.
• Additional 50-seat Q300 capacity has been added on services
to Bundaberg, Charleville, Dubbo, Longreach, Port Macquarie,
Roma, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Weipa, complementing
services operated by 36-seat Dash 8s.
• Double daily Dash 8 services replaced Qantas daily B737 services
between Melbourne and Launceston in August 2006.
• Operations were discontinued on unprofi table routes between
Melbourne and Burnie in July 2006, and between Adelaide and
both Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln in June 2006.
Other Developments
• QantasLink won the Outback Queensland Tourism Authority
Award in the category of Major Tour and Transport Operator
for the second consecutive year. The award acknowledges the
airline’s commitment to the Queensland outback.
• A new pilot and cabin crew base was established in Canberra in
August 2006, creating more than 30 jobs in the national capital.
• QantasLink celebrated 25 years of service between Mildura and
Melbourne in January 2006, and the fi rst anniversary of its new
services between Wollongong and Melbourne in June 2006.
Qantas Regional
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