BRISBANE West Wellcamp Airport today welcomed the inaugural QantasLink flight – its first regular passenger service.
The day after celebrating its 94th birthday, the country’s longest-serving airline operated inaugural flight QF 2017, out of Australia’s newest port – Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.
A mix of the Wagner family, politicians, business leaders and the local community were on board the ‘DARLING DOWNS’ to Sydney, the Q400 plane QantasLink announced today it has named in honour of the region.
The flight is part of a huge celebration for Darling Downs’ Wagner family, who, in just 18 months has built Australia’s first ever privately-funded greenfield public airport.
With a team working seven days a week, 24 hours-a-day to finish in record time, the project marks a huge milestone for the company – celebrating its 25-year anniversary this month.
Wagners’ chairman John Wagner along with father Henry and his three brothers and equal company shareholders Denis, Neill and Joe, are all extremely proud of this multi-million-dollar infrastructure project.
“To see our vision of a jet-capable airport come to life and celebrate the first flight with our first customer QantasLink, it’s a moment we are all extremely proud of,” said the aviation enthusiast.
QantasLink Chief Executive Officer John Gissing said the inaugural flight to Wellcamp marked a momentous occasion in aviation history.
Qantas’ history began in Queensland over 94 years ago, so we’re delighted to be part of this important milestone in the State’s history,” Mr Gissing said.
“As Australia’s largest regional airline, we understand the needs of regional Australia. The new flights will stimulate tourism and business opportunities for the Toowoomba region.
“QantasLink customers travelling to and from Brisbane West Wellcamp will enjoy our exceptional product and service on board our Q400 aircraft, as well as seamless connections to domestic and international Qantas services,” said Mr Gissing.
QantasLink will offer 11 return flights a week to and from Sydney from November 17 and provide a Toowoomba centric schedule of double daily services Monday to Friday and daily services on the weekend.
Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport is capable of accommodating large passenger aircraft (747) and is one of Australia’s longest regional runways and the second longest regional runway in Queensland.
It is Australia’s first privately-funded public airport and the first public airport to be built in 50 years. The 300ha airport, features a 2.87km runway, state-of-the-art 8,000m2 terminal facility and is the anchor tenant of the 800ha Wellcamp Business Park.