Australia’s ‘flying Kangaroo’ Qantas Airline is to launch its flagship Bombardier Q400 regional aircraft on its flight route to the towns of Blackall and Barcaldine. The Q400 will start operating flights from early February 2011.

The airline’s Executive manager, Narendra Kumar stated at the launch that the introduction of the Bombardier Q400 regional aircraft service would also increase flight frequency from two services per week to three. In addition to that, times for Flights to Brisbane will also be reduced to less than two hours once these services are started. Emphasizing on the importance of this new development, Mr. Kumar further said:

“This is a significant increase in flight frequency and capacity for these important Western Queensland centers,” He added: “Our new schedule will offer more choice and greater convenience for travel to and from Brisbane and connections to the broader Qantas Group domestic and international networks.”

At present, Qantas Airline operates twice weekly flights to the towns of Blackall and Barcaldine. The new extra flight that will make it a thrice-weekly schedule is to be added from February 09^th.  On flights to Blackall route, the airline will offer flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting in February next year. The new flight Q400 will be flying on Wednesday.

While the third flight a week, to Barcaldine will start operating three days later starting from February 12, 2011. Flights to Barcaldine will be flying on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays of each week. The new Q400 service will be operated on Saturdays.

Following the launch of these new flights to Australia, Barcaldine and Blackall airports will also undergo “an upgrade” through a collaborative funding effort by the Queensland Government in partnership with Blackall-Tambo and Barcaldine Regional Councils.

Mr. Kumar said: “Qantas Airline has been flying to these communities for just over nine years, and in Qantas’ 90th year, this increase in services and capacity is a firm indication of our commitment to the Western Queensland regulated routes and the growth of these regions,” he said: “I would like to thank both the Blackall-Tambo and Barcaldine Regional Councils for ensuring the recent airport upgrades were completed in time for the airline’s Q400 expansion plans. Modern airport infrastructure is so important to the ongoing viability of regional air services.”

Qantas is Australia’s largest airline and operates flights with coordination regional Australia to 53 metropolitan and country destinations across all states and territories. Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea is the 54^th Qantas Destination launched earlier this year.