Major events taking place in Northern Tasmania have driven a record increase in visitation to the region's airport.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now, the Launceston Airport is hoping to extend, add, and build upon the services on offer to its passengers.
During the 2018/2019 financial year, a massive 1.39 million passengers flew through the Launceston Airport - almost two per cent higher than the previous financial year.
It was also the airport's busiest fourth quarter in history, with 316,049 visitors flying through from April to June.
Airport general manager Paul Hodgen said he was proud to see the increase.
"I think Tassie clearly is still a big drawcard for tourism," he said.
"It's in no small part due to the effort of Tourism Tasmania, Tourism Northern Tasmania, and so on, in getting a lot of these events through what used to be a quiet part of the year."
RELATED STORIES
Mr Hodgen said events such as the Supercars, AFL, Agfest, the Breath of Fresh Air film festival, and the National Musical Theatre Festival had drawn people to the region during the quieter period.
"All of these have got good, interested visitation," he said.
A big marketing campaign with Jetstar was also getting the word out about the region.
An Airbus A320 wrapped in images of the North's biggest natural wonders has been flying across the country.
The plane has visited 18 Australian airports and has travelled as far afield as Bali and Singapore.
Looking to the future, Mr Hodgen said the airport had been pressing the case with airlines for additional capacity and flights.
"Really the focus has been on the Sydney route, which is really woefully underserved at the moment," he said.
He also said the Brisbane Airport was keen to see the season extend for Virgin Airlines flights between Brisbane and Launceston.
"At the moment it's just an operation for part of the year. We're looking to try and extend that progressively, and we'd love to get it to an all-year-round service," Mr Hodgen said.
They also had their eye on the addition of a new route.
"I think the greatest potential at the moment is for a Launceston to Adelaide service," he said.
He said the Hobart to Adelaide route was performing extremely well, and believed there was the same opportunity out of the state's North.
While you're with us, did you know you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Kasey Wilkins
Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at kasey.wilkins@examiner.com.au.
Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at kasey.wilkins@examiner.com.au.
