Burnie Airport rolled out the welcome mat over the weekend for its first QantasLink Dash 8 Q400, offering up to 28 more seats per flight compared to the now-retired Q300s.
The larger, faster aircraft touched down at 4pm on Sunday, marking a new chapter for travel between Burnie and Melbourne with more room for passengers and slightly shorter flight times.
QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan said the upgrade would deliver more than 6,000 extra seats each year on the Burnie–Melbourne route.
“We are excited to be bringing our larger 74-seat Q400 aircraft to Burnie for the first time,” Yangoyan said.
“Moving our Burnie flights to the Q400 is part of Qantas’ investment in keeping regional Australia connected and as well as having more seats, the faster aircraft will reduce flight times and improve reliability.”
The transition has been backed by a $365,000 state government grant to strengthen airport infrastructure, along with $330,000 from the federal government for runway surface upgrades.
Acting Burnie Mayor Giovanna Simpson welcomed the arrival, noting the aircraft’s environmental credentials support the council’s long-term goals.
“The Q400 are considered the future-forward aircraft, providing a faster and more comfortable journey,” she said.
Business Northwest President Ian Jones said the timing couldn’t be better.
“The Burnie airport is the gateway to the Tarkine area and to have the larger capacity of the Q400 makes it even more available to the mainland eco-tourist market,” Jones said.
“The funding commitments of state and federal governments combined with the Q400 upgrade by QantasLink ensure the region will provide a quality link to mainland Australia.”
Airport Manager Tyler Wilson said the new aircraft is “poised to significantly stimulate growth” across the wider north-west.
“By increasing capacity and improving connectivity to key destinations, these larger aircraft will enhance accessibility for travellers, making the region a more attractive option for both domestic and international visitors,” he said.
