The $369 ticket to Tassie: new direct flights open up Tasmania's wild north

First direct flight between Launceston and Canberra touches down.

Launceston Airport chief executive Katie Cooper, cabin manager Logan Smith, First Officer Anneka Williams and Captain Matthew Goodall after the first Canberra to Launceston flight by Link Airways. Picture by Paul Scambler

By Joe Colbrook

Updated May 7 2026 - 9:16am, first published 8:00am

Direct flights from northern Tasmania to the nation's capital will benefit more than just politicians.

Link Airways' manager of network strategy Jeff Boyd said the airline's four-weekly service between Launceston and Canberra would help bring families closer together, and strengthen the "real connection" between the two cities.

The Queensland-based regional airline's inaugural flight to Launceston Airport landed on Wednesday, May 6.

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"Just as we found in Hobart, there's lots of friends and relatives, just talking to people on the plane then," Mr Boyd said.

"They're coming down to mind the grandchildren while their kids are doing some renovations on the house. There's lots of that sort of thing."

The new route between the nation's capital to Launceston was announced in February 2026, and tickets cost $369 one-way.

Flights run Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, using the airline's 34-seat Saab 340B Plus aircraft.

Link began flying to Hobart in 2020, and Mr Boyd said Launceston had been on the airline's radar ever since.

"You've got so many things in the north of Tasmania. We're not just looking at the City of Launceston but the whole area," he said.

"Cradle Mountain, Strahan, Mole Creek, all these wonderful places to visit."

Mr Boyd said that went both ways, and there were plenty of things that would entice Tasmanians to the ACT and surrounding parts of NSW.

Link Airways flight FC275 receives a water cannon salute as it arrives at Launceston Airport. Picture by Paul Scambler

Launceston Airport chief executive Katie Cooper said the launch of the new route, which ran year-round, was a "real show of confidence" in Northern Tasmania.

"It shows such confidence in Tasmania and in Launceston as a region, that people do want to travel here, both to visit friends and family but also for business," Ms Cooper said.

The Tasmanian government supported the creation of the new route through its $5 million Aviation Attraction Fund, announced early 2025.

Tourism Minister Jane Howlett said the new route would lead to a significant economic boost.

"With about 60,000 visitors travelling from the ACT each year, this route makes it easier than ever for them to choose Northern Tasmania as part of their journey," she said.

Words byJoe Colbrook

Journalist at The Examiner, covering local government and planning, breaking news and court. Send tips to joe.colbrook@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Ex-Jimboomba Times, UQ Alumni