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Jetstar is adding more than 34,000 seats between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast from March to June this year.
The low-cost carrier will add more than 140 new evening flights on the route, as well as upgrade more than 170 existing A320-200 services to A321s, increasing capacity by 14 per cent over 2024. In total, Jetstar will offer more than 350,000 Melbourne-Sunshine Coast seats in 2025.
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Jetstar plans to operate both A321ceo and A321neo aircraft on the Sunshine Coast–Melbourne route. The airline’s 19th A321neo LR, VH-OYW, arrived in Australia in December and began revenue flights last Friday.
“We expect strong demand for low fares travel to continue this year in and out of the Sunshine Coast,” said Jetstar’s executive manager for commercial planning, Lyle Brownscombe.
“This extra 34,000 low fares seats on Jetstar between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne between March and June will provide our customers with even more travel options.”
The news comes as Jetstar continues to ramp up its Sunshine Coast operations, with the airline last year jumping on the Cairns route vacated by Bonza following its collapse, as well as adding trans-Tasman flights to Auckland.
Jetstar’s expansion has been a shot in the arm for the Sunshine Coast since the demise of Bonza, which entered voluntary administration in April 2024 after all its planes were seized by lessor AIP Capital.
The Sunshine Coast was the carrier’s major base, with the airline operating flights to Albury, Avalon, Cairns, Darwin, Launceston, Melbourne, Mackay, Mildura, Newcastle and Whitsunday Coast.
Post-Bonza, the airport’s network dramatically dwindled to include only Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Auckland.
Chris Mills, CEO of Sunshine Coast Airport, said Jetstar’s move to boost Melbourne capacity signalled strong demand for the region.
“Melbourne is an important market for our airport. An additional 34,000 seats will improve connectivity with more flights and flexibility for thousands of travellers every week,” Mills said.
“The Sunshine Coast is an incredible holiday destination and it’s not surprising our friends in Melbourne want to visit our incredible beaches, hinterland and unique experiences. This connection offers immense benefit to tourism operators, local businesses and families.
“Jetstar’s announcement is another vote of confidence in the region and will support greater connectivity in 2025.”
