QantasLink today welcomed its first Next Generation Bombardier Q400 flight to Dubbo as part of better travel options for the regional centre.

The upgrade to the larger and faster 74-seat aircraft from a 50-seat Q300 on 8 return flights between Sydney and Dubbo comes as QantasLink commits to increased capacity, services and improved scheduling on the route.

QantasLink Executive Manager, John Gissing, said QantasLink was pleased to offer Dubbo customers more choice and greater travel flexibility as part of the regional airline’s growth strategy.

“This the first time the Q400 aircraft has serviced the Dubbo route and the improved capacity is vital to meeting the current and future travel demand between Sydney and Dubbo,” said Mr Gissing.

“Dubbo customers wanted more seats, more often and at times that suited them. QantasLink’s service expansion in Dubbo and use of the Q400 helps to deliver that.

“The Q400 will also give passengers a unique jet-like travel experience not seen in Dubbo before, through reduced travel times, a quieter cabin and increased comfort.”

With the Q400 upgrades beginning today and schedule expansion starting from 1 April 2013, QantasLink will soon offer 58 flights between Dubbo and Sydney each week, increasing seats from 2,800 to 3,100 per week. Flight frequency will also increase from four to five daily return flights on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and three to four return flight on Sunday.

Mr Gissing said QantasLink’s commitment to the growth of travel to-and-from Dubbo was a clear indication of the confidence the airline has in the region’s business and tourism potential.

“Business travel is a huge part of regional growth. The improved timetable will help to make work trips more efficient and flexible for our corporate customers coming to and from Dubbo and Sydney,” said Mr Gissing.

“More flights, bigger aircraft and more customer-friendly timing will give the local community greater access to the wider Qantas network in Australia and around the world.

“Just this month, Emirates started selling airfares to Dubbo, Albury, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Sydney, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga to visitors from the United Kingdom, Europe, North Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East as part of Qantas’ joint network with the airline.”

QantasLink currently operates 50 services each week between Sydney and Dubbo.

In January 2013, QantasLink announced it would take delivery of an additional three Q400s to pursue domestic growth opportunities across its regional network. This will take the airline’s fleet of Q400s to 31 in addition to 21 Q200/300 aircraft and 13 Boeing 717 jets already in service.

To celebrate the Next Generation Bombardier Q400 servicing the Sydney-Dubbo route, QantasLink has launched a special one-way introductory fare of $69 for travel from 1 May 2013 to 30 September 2013. (On sale from 4 March 2013 until 8 March 2013. Unless sold out prior. For travel only between Sydney and Dubbo.)