No Need for a Sydney Sleepover: Qantas Brings Back Early and Late Flights
The new services begin on October 27, giving passengers the option to fly south in the morning and return the same evening without the cost of overnight accommodation.
The morning service will depart Ballina at 7.45am Monday to Friday, landing in Sydney at 9.20am.
The aircraft and crew will overnight in Ballina, ensuring the flight can depart on time without being affected by delays from earlier routes.
The evening return flight departs Sydney at 7.10pm, arriving back in Ballina at 8.40pm. Both services will be operated by the QantasLink Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft.
Boost for Business and Community
Business NSW Northern Rivers Regional Director Jane Laverty said the flight answered a long-standing need.
“The Northern Rivers business community welcomes the news. The early morning Qantas flight into Sydney and the later return flight means you can be in and out in the day, avoiding unnecessary overnight accommodation,” she said.
“Access to the region is a critical enabler for business and enhances opportunities for many of our sectors like tourism, manufacturing, health and education.”
Mayor: “Not Just Good News — Great News”
Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said Council had been lobbying hard for the return of the services, which were suspended during aircraft shortages a few years ago.
“No, it’s not good news. It’s great news,” she said.
“If you’ve got a meeting that starts at 10 o’clock in Sydney, you can be there on time and be back home that same night without the expense of accommodation.
“It’s a huge benefit for our business community, and also for residents travelling for medical appointments or personal reasons. The early morning departure is especially reliable, because the plane is already here and ready to go.”
Cr Cadwallader said the return of the flights followed lengthy negotiations with Qantas.
“It has been on our agenda for some time, and staff have worked extremely hard to make it happen.
“We’re very happy with the outcome,” she said.
Qantas Fleet Expansion
The reinstated flights are part of Qantas’s wider regional renewal program.
The airline has acquired 14 additional Dash 8-400 aircraft, replacing older Q200 and Q300 models.
The Dash 8-400s carry more passengers, travel more than 30 per cent faster than older turboprops, and produce fewer emissions per passenger.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the investment would ensure “ongoing reliable air services across many parts of regional Australia”, while the airline continues to plan for future low-emission aircraft.
