New Broome flights

QANTAS is to introduce a service direct to Broome from Melbourne.

Qantas will operate a twice-weekly service during the peak season, between March 30 and October 26, 2003.

WA Tourism Minister Clive Brown said this was great news for WA.

"The flights leave Melbourne on Friday at 8.15pm and Sunday at 10.20am, opening up the weekend and short-stay market from the east coast," he said.

"Air access to the north of the State is a major issue for our tourism industry and QANTAS is to be congratulated on this initiative.

"We know that people in the Eastern States have WA high on their list of places that they want to visit, but until now it has only been accessible via an indirect route.

"This new service, during the peak season, will allow many more visitors to enjoy our fabulous Kimberley region at its best, while escaping the chilly Melbourne winter," he said.

The new Qantas route will be serviced by 737-800 aircraft, providing a further 316 seats into WA each week.