Qantas introduces new fleet to Bendigo–Sydney route

FLIGHTS between Bendigo and Sydney can now carry more people and are around 15 minutes faster after the introduction of Qantas’s recently expanded Dash 8-400 fleet to the route.

The De Havilland Dash 8 turboprops are more than 30 per cent faster and on average 10 years younger than the Q200 and Q300 aircraft they’re replacing, and produce less carbon emissions per passenger than the Q300s.

The first Dash 8-400 landed in Bendigo at 7.40pm on Sunday 27 October and was greeted by City of Greater Bendigo CEO Andrew Cooney, with Fire Rescue Victoria staging a traditional water salute.

Mr Cooney said it’s an exciting development for the Bendigo–Sydney service and demonstrates Qantas’s commitment to regional service delivery.

“The new planes represent a big step up in terms of providing passengers greater comfort, speed and reliability, and adds an additional 170 seats per week to the Bendigo–Sydney route,” he said.

“Flights to Sydney mean passengers are one stop from travel within Australia, including our Bendigo flights lining up nicely with [domestic] connections or taking a trip overseas.”

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the turboprop renewal program was part of the airline’s ongoing commitment to serve regional Australia.

“We are proud of the role we have played for more than 100 years keeping regional communities connected, and this investment ensures there will be ongoing reliable air services across many parts of regional Australia,” she said.