Qantas has upped the ante on its regional services, with the launch of direct Adelaide to Townsville flights yesterday, and its first direct flights from Brisbane to Launceston taking off in November.

Jetstar will also add another two weekly return flights to its existing Brisbane to Launceston flights from November, offering a total of nine return services each week.

Qantas’ regional airline QantasLink will operate three weekly Adelaide-Townsville return flights, a route which QantasLink chief executive officer John Gisseng says no other airline currently operates.

“These new flights open up a direct connection between the two cities and will save more than two hours in travel time on a round-trip instead of flying via other cities,” Mr. Gisseng said.

QantasLink will also commence a direct service between Brisbane and Launceston from 1 November 2021, operating three return services per week until the end of March 2022. Depending on demand, more flights may be added beyond this date.