The direct service, commencing on 26 March, will operate three times per week using Jetstar’s A320 aircraft, and is estimated to carry up to 50,000 passengers per year. It is the second Jetstar service to operate from Busselton Margaret River following the launch of a Melbourne route last year.

“Holidaymakers from Sydney will be able to fly direct to Margaret River in about five hours for as low as $109 one way, making the region far more accessible for domestic and international tourists from the harbour city,” said Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully.

“Our flights from Melbourne have already been incredibly popular, and once our Sydney flights launch, we’ll be carrying well over 100 thousand customers to and from this captivating region annually.”

WA Minister for Regional Development Don Punch has welcomed the new Sydney route. The WA government has said direct flights are an important part of the state’s tourism strategy.

“The introduction of these direct flights from Sydney provides a welcome boost to tourism operators and small businesses in our spectacular South-West region,” Minister Punch said.

“This comes after significant State Government support to secure direct flights between Busselton and Melbourne last year, which have unlocked new opportunities for investment and job creation.”

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The Melbourne route was firstannounced in 2019 to commence in March of 2020 but was delayed due to COVID-19.

The news comes days after Jetstarannounced direct flights from Melbourne to another tourist destination, Hervey Bay on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, joining an existing Sydney service.

Flights to underserved tourism hotspots are a key plank in the strategy of fellow low-cost carrier Bonza, which on Wednesdaylaunched its third base on the Gold Coast.