Demand for new flight services from Hobart to the Bass Strait islands has led the state government to underwrite them for an additional four months.
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Since September 30, Sharp Airlines has been operating the services, flying people direct from the state capital to Flinders and King islands.
Premier and Tourism Minister Peter Gutwein said bookings as at November 25 and through to January 31 exceeded 1300 people bound for Flinders Island and 1000 for King Island.
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It was due to this demand, Mr Gutwein said, that an extension to the services had been approved for a further 17 weeks, until the end of April next year.
"Tasmanians are voting with their feet," he said in State Parliament today.
"I'm really pleased ... that in terms of the airline services that this government facilitated and underwrote from Hobart to King Island and from Hobart to Flinders Island are going gangbusters.
"Because of the outstanding demand for those services, the financial need from government has been less than what was expected.
"Our visitor economy is coming back."
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Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
