THERE are no plans to resume Bendigo-to-Sydney flights in the next few months, even as Qantas prepares to launch a host of mothballed routes across Australia.
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It and sister carrier Jetstar could have up to 40 per cent of its flights in the air by the end of July after shelving everything but essential routes because of the pandemic, the Qantas Group announced on Thursday.
The carriers expect to up their flights from 5 to 15 per cent of pre-crisis activity by the end of this month, including more planes into places like Melbourne and Mildura.
Business group Be.Bendigo was not expecting any announcement on Bendigo's Sydney flights until at least the end of June.
"This will all come down to a response from Qantas, at the end of the day. I know the (council) is still in contact with them about when there might be a return for Bendigo," Be.Bendigo's chief executive Dennis Bice said.
Businesses across the state have been decimated by social distancing restrictions.
A recent Victoria Tourism Industry Council survey found two thirds of tourism businesses have stopped operating and employment has plummeted.
"Unlike other states, Victoria's borders have remained open," The VCTIC's chief executive Felicia Mariani said.
"With high demand and July school holidays approaching, today's announcement of additional services to Victoria provides greater capacity to visit Melbourne and its regions."
Central Victoria's tourism industry is hoping for a flush of funds this long weekend as people visit friends and family.
Many cellar doors across the Heathcote and Bendigo wine growing region will open for the first time since the pandemic arrived in Australia.
Mount Alexander Shire's council is reopening its visitor centre to help businesses cash in on an expected surge in visitors.
Mr Bice did not believe a lack of Bendigo to Sydney flights will impact the city right now.
"We'd clearly like to get them back as soon as possible because it adds value, certainly, for our businesses and tourist attractions," he said.
"We are seeing more people around town and businesses open more often, there's no question about that."
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said there was a lot of "pent-up demand" for flights across Australia and that the new flights were an important first step in addressing the tourism industry's needs.
"Customers will notice a number of differences when they fly, such as masks and sanitising wipes, and we'll be sending out information before their flight so they know exactly what to expect and have some extra peace of mind," he said.
"Importantly, the Australian government's medical experts have said the risk of contracting coronavirus on an aircraft is low."
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Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
