More flights between Bendigo and Sydney will be a win for business and tourism in the region, the City of Greater Bendigo chief executive says.
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From March 30, QantasLink will run three extra return services between the two cities each week. This will bring the total number of weekly return services to 10.
City of Greater Bendigo chief executive Craig Niemann said about 2000 people have been using the flights each month since the service started in March.
"We're really delighted that Qantas has added flights," Mr Niemann said. "We know that the demand has stayed on for the past six or seven months that the flights have been running.
"We think this will provide additional options for people flying between Sydney and Bendigo."
Be.Bendigo chief executive Dennis Bice said the additional services were a boost for businesses in the region.
"It's been a great result for businesses but particularly those travelling to and from Sydney on a regular basis," Mr Bice said.
"We have had really positive feedback from businesses, even the businesses based in Sydney, because it has certainly made it a lot easier for them to come to Bendigo for work.
"One of the challenges in the early stages has been around flight time, so the additional flights will help alleviate some of those problems - particularly those trying to get up and back in the one day.
"Any additional services will make a difference."
The city would also discuss with Qantas additional destinations like Adelaide or Canberra, Mr Niemann said.
"We know that Qantas wants to make sure the Sydney to Bendigo route is consolidated before any other routes are added," he said. "But we will certainly continue to talk to them about this area."
Mr Bice said the business community would also support the additional destinations.
"But I think it's also very clear from Qantas' perspective that they need to build the success of the Sydney flights first," he said.
"We would like to see them continue to increase the Sydney to Bendigo services. Following on from that, we would like to see them move up to a jet service into Bendigo.
"That will get seat capacity up to 74 seats. It will also allow businesses to carry light freight."
A Qantas spokesperson said a jet service was unnecessary for Bendigo and current planes were sufficient.
"The Q300 is the right-sized aircraft to meet the demand we are seeing on the route and deliver the increase in flights per week that we're introducing next year," the spokesperson said.
Mr Bice said the key thing the community needed to do was support the QantasLink service.
"It's about making sure we're utilising them the best way we can," he said. "I'm confident we won't only get an upgrade in flights to Sydney, but also other destinations.
"We're certainly in discussion with businesses and we're keen to keep them supporting the existing flights.
"We know we're meeting Qantas' expectations above and beyond."