Qantas launches Sydney-Broken Hill flights

QantasLink is adding Broken Hill to its network, with twice-weekly direct flights between Sydney and the far west city beginning on 8 April this year.

Flights will run on Monday and Friday each week using a QantasLink de Havilland Q300 turbo-prop, an all-economy 50-seat plane.

The airline says the schedule will offer Broken Hill residents “an easy long weekend in the city, and allow visitors to make the most out of their outback exploration.”

The move sees Qantas go head to head with Regional Express, which also flies the same route thrice-daily on weekdays along with once on Saturday and once on Sunday (with plans to add a second flight on Sundays from 27 March 2022).

Broken Hill Regional Council Mayor, Tom Kennedy, welcomed Qantas to town and said the local community will benefit from the choice between the Roo and Rex.

“I think the community will be very excited to see the arrival of Qantas and to see some competition in the local market," he noted, thanking Qantas “for providing locals with more options and more flexibility by offering their services out of Broken Hill.”

QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the addition of Broken Hill will be a boon for local tourism and small businesses, while also offering Broken Hill residents “seamless connections on to our domestic and international networks through Sydney.”

“We are constantly looking for new opportunities to stimulate domestic tourism and support small business operators across regional Australia,” Gissing said.

Qantas says regular fares will start from $269 one way, with launch fares starting from $189 one way “until 21 February, unless sold out prior.”

If you're looking to book a Broken Hill jaunt using Qantas Points, economy reward seats on the route are pegged at 8,000 points each way.