QAL CEO Chris Mills has welcomed news of Townsville being added to the Tourism Aviation Network Support scheme, which will see half-price ticket deals incentivise travel to destinations hard hit by COVID-19.

Mr Mills said Townsville Airport passenger numbers had plateaued in the past few months and the travel scheme would encourage visitors to consider a North Queensland holiday sooner.

“Passenger numbers are still 30 percent to 40 per cent below the levels achieved prior to COVID-19,” he said.

“Over January and February 88,000 fewer people were flying in and out of Townsville Airport, many of whom would have supported tourism operators and small businesses in North Queensland.

“Pre COVID-19, Townsville was the 11th busiest airport in Australia with 1.6 million passengers annually. The region needs assistance from the government if a return to these numbers is going to be realised, and we would love to see more visitors from other states.”

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