QFlink NSW changes including a lounge for Tamworth

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markis10

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QantasLink expands flight schedule in regional NSW, commits to new Tamworth lounge

Tamworth, 22 February 2013



QantasLink has today announced it will deploy larger aircraft and increase flights during peak periods across New South Wales from April 2013.

Tamworth, Armidale, Coffs Harbour and Dubbo will all benefit from the changes which will cater for the current and future growth of the regions. The Tamworth community will also benefit from the establishment of a Qantas regional lounge at Tamworth Airport.
QantasLink Executive Manager, John Gissing, said QantasLink was pleased to be able to offer the new services to regional NSW customers as part of its growth strategy.

“Our customers wanted access to more seats at peak times and greater choice. QantasLink’s service expansion across Tamworth, Armidale, Coffs Harbour and Dubbo will deliver on this,” Mr Gissing said.
“The changes are a clear indication of the confidence we have in New South Wales’ regional business and leisure tourism market.
“As well as benefiting local businesses and tourism operators, improved capacity and scheduling will give the local community more seamless and accessible travel opportunities.”
New South Wales Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner, said this was great news for local residents, businesses and tourism operators.
“The NSW Government is committed to growing regional economies and we welcome QantasLink’s decision to increase the frequency and capacity of flights to major regional cities,” said Mr Stoner.

Key changes include:
- Tamworth – an additional eight flights per week between Tamworth and Sydney will increase seats from 3,800 to 4,400 per week. New early morning and afternoon services to and from Tamworth will give customers travelling in peak periods more choice.
- Dubbo – an additional eight flights per week between Dubbo and Sydney will increase seats from 2,800 to 3,100 per week, flight frequency will increase from 4 to 5 daily flights on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 3 to 4 on Sunday and a Q400 aircraft and Dash 8 Q200 will help service the additional capacity.
- Armidale – all flights will be operated on the larger Dash 8 Q300 aircraft increasing seats between Armidale and Sydney from 2,900 to 3,100 per week. Schedule changes in the morning and afternoon will also provide a greater spread of flight options throughout the day.
- Coffs Harbour – flight frequency between Coffs Harbour and Sydney has been increased from 66 to 70 flights per week and a more corporate focused flight timetable will see the addition of an early morning week day flight for corporate and government travellers.

Mr Gissing said QantasLink was delighted to announce the construction of a $400,000 lounge at Tamworth Airport, the 12th Qantas regional lounge in its network.
“The new lounge will give Tamworth customers a premium QantasLink experience from the time they arrive at Tamworth Airport until they reach their destination,” he said.
“Qantas’ regional lounges are modelled on our Qantas Clubs and offer guests a quiet space to relax before their flight. The new Tamworth lounge will include complimentary light refreshments and beverages, wireless internet, Foxtel and comfortable seating.”
The combination of flight frequency and larger aircrafts means over 15,000 seats are now available each week between Sydney and Dubbo, Armidale, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth.
QantasLink recently announced direct flights between Sydney and Gladstone to commence on 4 March 2013.
QantasLink currently employs approximately 100 people in Tamworth across engineering, finance, customer service and ground operations.
Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (5506)
Email: [email protected]
 
Good news....

Now to all those Qantas Club (particular life holders who have complained about BA access changing) - should you be excluded from this lounge as it wasn't there when you had to sign up or have to pay more.
 
Seems rather random to set up a regional lounge in Tamworth. You'd think that if Tamworth can have a regional lounge, then so could Coffs Harbour and Dubbo, as a minimum.

Is there a growing industry in Tamworth that those of us living under a rock should know of? Apart from the annual music festival, of course.

Also, I thought these routes were highly regulated by the state government. I thought Qantas, even in all their enthusiasm (hmm...), would have a tough time securing more regional flights, especially if they still benefit from the government subsidy to operate the routes.

There's also a Brindabella flight to BNE from Tamworth, but you can't access QPs before a Brindabella marketed flight, right?
 
Seems rather random to set up a regional lounge in Tamworth. You'd think that if Tamworth can have a regional lounge, then so could Coffs Harbour and Dubbo, as a minimum.

Coffs Harbour has a lounge already, does it not?

Also, I thought these routes were highly regulated by the state government. I thought Qantas, even in all their enthusiasm (hmm...), would have a tough time securing more regional flights, especially if they still benefit from the government subsidy to operate the routes.

Not all are regulated:
The Minister has the power to deregulate intrastate air routes and has declared as deregulated the routes between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and:

  • Albury
  • Armidale
  • Ballina
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Dubbo
  • Griffith
  • Lismore
  • Orange
  • Port Macquarie
  • Tamworth
  • Wagga Wagga
  • Williamtown
 
Just a few observations:

SYD-Tamworth: No competition so cash cow right there
SYD-Dubbo: Rex the only competition so screws Rex up nicely (as well as Rex's other issues with lack of pilots and problems with government& SYD airport)
SYD- Armidale: No competition again
SYD-Coffs Harbour: Already has Tiger (A320s) and Virgin Australia (with E190s and B738s!) so competition already there - looking at current and future airfares this looks like a low yield bloodbath for everyone concerned.

SYD-Gladstone: No competition there but obviously Gladstone to Brisbane has heaps of traffic with Virgin Australia (F100's) and QF Link (Dash 8)


Good news for Coffs Harbour hoteliers though! :)
 
Seems rather random to set up a regional lounge in Tamworth. You'd think that if Tamworth can have a regional lounge, then so could Coffs Harbour and Dubbo, as a minimum.

Is there a growing industry in Tamworth that those of us living under a rock should know of? Apart from the annual music festival, of course.

Also, I thought these routes were highly regulated by the state government. I thought Qantas, even in all their enthusiasm (hmm...), would have a tough time securing more regional flights, especially if they still benefit from the government subsidy to operate the routes.

There's also a Brindabella flight to BNE from Tamworth, but you can't access QPs before a Brindabella marketed flight, right?

Qantas can do what they like on those routes, they are deregulated. There is only some more route routes that are licensed to single operators.

edit: i see somebody already posted the list of deregulated routes..
 
Seems rather random to set up a regional lounge in Tamworth. You'd think that if Tamworth can have a regional lounge, then so could Coffs Harbour and Dubbo, as a minimum.

Is there a growing industry in Tamworth that those of us living under a rock should know of? Apart from the annual music festival, of course.

Also, I thought these routes were highly regulated by the state government. I thought Qantas, even in all their enthusiasm (hmm...), would have a tough time securing more regional flights, especially if they still benefit from the government subsidy to operate the routes.

There's also a Brindabella flight to BNE from Tamworth, but you can't access QPs before a Brindabella marketed flight, right?


:p Excellent news - have to go to Tamworth a fair bit over the next 2 years so good timing. The airport there can easily handle a QC - there is significant state government and defence travel going through here and the flights are usually pretty full too.
 
:p Excellent news - have to go to Tamworth a fair bit over the next 2 years so good timing. The airport there can easily handle a QC - there is significant state government and defence travel going through here and the flights are usually pretty full too.

I assume you are not expecting too much from the Tamworth QC
 
I assume you are not expecting too much from the Tamworth QC

It's a regional lounge - I'd expect tea, instant coffee, cheap beer, cheap wine (e.g. Lindemans) and biscuits (e.g. shortbread). Packet cheese would be a bonus, as would Tim Tams, chocolate, and packet fruit cake.

Anything above that would be very interesting, and/or supplied once per day and runs out quickly.
 
How long do you reckon till the lounge is open? Might have to cross off all the NSW regional routes at the end of the year if appropriate sales pop up ;) might make my flight map a bit more interesting :p
 
:p Excellent news - have to go to Tamworth a fair bit over the next 2 years so good timing. The airport there can easily handle a QC - there is significant state government and defence travel going through here and the flights are usually pretty full too.

Given lots of trainee pilots are based here can you imagine the DYKWIA attitude some of them will have if refused entry?

Could even be a Country and/or Western song to be written about the refusal. :p
 
It's a regional lounge - I'd expect tea, instant coffee, cheap beer, cheap wine (e.g. Lindemans) and biscuits (e.g. shortbread). Packet cheese would be a bonus, as would Tim Tams, chocolate, and packet fruit cake.

Anything above that would be very interesting, and/or supplied once per day and runs out quickly.

Occasional hot food will be acceptable. Tamworth has had upgrade to its airport facilities including equipment for security checks. For lounge, it should be a shopfitting exercise IMO. Any idea when lounge will be operational?
 
It's a pity they did not announce a service for BNE-ARM. Since Brindabella gave it a miss there is no regular air service.
 
Nice sale fares available Sydney-Dubbo at the moment for travel in Late April to Mid June. $69 each way. I am thinking of picking up a same day turn in early May for lunch and a visit to the Open Plains Zoo. Anyone keen to join me and make it a bit of an event?
 
Is it just me, or are the morning SYD-TMW/ARM flights and evening TMW/ARM-SYD flights ALWAYS obscenely priced? Looking for any date in the future, there isn't anything cheaper than $200 that I can see...I mean, I know there isn't any competition, but isn't that a bit pricey? Particularly the 5pm TMW-SYD flight...

Thoughts?
 
Is it just me, or are the morning SYD-TMW/ARM flights and evening TMW/ARM-SYD flights ALWAYS obscenely priced? Looking for any date in the future, there isn't anything cheaper than $200 that I can see...I mean, I know there isn't any competition, but isn't that a bit pricey? Particularly the 5pm TMW-SYD flight...

Thoughts?

Yes, you would be hard pressed to get the ARM->SYD 5pm or SYD->ARM 7pm flight for under $250. I'm guessing they are popular because they allow a day visit to SYD from ARM or TMW and vice versa. And of course, no competition. Mornings you should be able to get a price more like $150 as they have a few flights in the AM both ways.

Well, they *used* to. This new schedule makes it worse! From Armidale, we used to have 6:30/8:40/10:15/13:40/17:00. That is, we had good coverage during the AM, a lunchtime flight but a gap with nothing till late PM.
With the change we have 6:30/9:50/12:15/13:40/17:00 which means there is now nothing in the AM between the red-eye and almost 10am which gets you in SYD city just before lunch. I'm thinking they did this to force those that used to take the extremely useful 8:40 onto the 6:30 if they needed a day in SYD.

And their spin on the change to the Armidale schedule is "Schedule changes in the morning and afternoon will also provide a greater spread of flight options throughout the day." Rubbish. In fact, they have done the opposite: they've introduced a gap in the AM, concentrated the flights around lunch and still left the gap in the PM. Much less spread. If that was their intention it would have been more sensible to move the 6:30 to later, say 7.30, as not everyone would need to be in SYD so early but especially when fog and adverse weather often delays this flight anyway, and to move the 1.40pm to later in the afternoon as there is now one at 12.15pm. I know these flights go on to other destinations such as Dubbo and I'm sure this would improve the spread of flights in such places as well.

Not impressed, Qantas. Especially when you still haven't advised me that the flights I booked before this change are at new times and I'm left to discover this myself. Hmmm.
 
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They announced some more Q400 flights out to DBO...yet these aren't showing up on the booking engine. Any guesses which flights on which days will be Q400s? I'm guessing two additional weekday flights...

According to info.flightmapper.net, these flights are in a Q400:
QF2048 (Tue) SYD->DBO 19:00
QF2037 (Wed) DBO->SYD 06:30
QF2040/41 (Wed, Sat) SYD->DBO->SYD 08:20 / 09:35
QF2038/39 (Mon-Fri) SYD->DBO->SYD 12:20 / 13:35
 
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According to info.flightmapper.net, these flights are in a Q400:
QF2048 (Tue) SYD->DBO 19:00
QF2037 (Wed) DBO->SYD 06:30
QF2040/41 (Wed, Sat) SYD->DBO->SYD 08:20 / 09:35
QF2038/39 (Mon-Fri) SYD->DBO->SYD 12:20 / 13:35

Those are the initial 8 return flights/week announced. However there are an additional 10 that were announced in the previously linked article this week that I'm curious about. What are the predictions for schedules should Rex cut down even more, or, heaven forbid, bail on DBO all together?
 
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