The new flight between Launceston and Melbourne will run over 11 peak days of service, starting on December 14.

Launceston Airport general manager Paul Hodgen said Qantas would also add three extra services to and from Melbourne with its Dash 8 aircraft.

“Jets are 110 seater whereas the Dash8-400 turboprops are 74 seats. So more than 1200 extra seats will be added [to the] Melbourne Launceston/Melbourne [route] by Qantas during December and January,” he said.

QantasLink currently operates 46 flights between Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney, as well 27 flights into Devonport and 27 into Launceston.

Mr Hodgen said Virgin Australia would also run a new Brisbane service, on a Boeing 737 jet, arriving on Friday evenings and departing on Saturday mornings throughout the busy summer period. 

“They also are laying on an extra Friday evening arrival from Melbourne ... and Saturday lunchtime departures to Melbourne,” he said.

“As far as historic passenger traffic is concerned, this is showing just over 1 per cent growth for the financial year to date, however with the extra services and seat capacity through December and January we are hopeful for a further tip-up in passenger traffic over summer.”

Mr Hodgen said the airport had been partnering with Tourism Tasmania to promote the upcoming #TassieStyle advocacy campaign for the summer season.

“[It’s] aimed at harnessing word of mouth promotion of the state and getting visitors talking about Tasmania and sharing their holiday experiences with their friends and relatives,” he said. 

“Early in the new year the airport will be installing a large video wall in the arrivals hall, co-funded by government, displaying social media posts from visitors holidaying around the state.”

The airport also plans to partner with UTAS’ Tourist Tracking Project.