Budget airline Scoot on cusp of unveiling new Gold Coast to Europe route via Singapore on Dreamliners
BUDGET airline one-stop hops from the Gold Coast to Europe for less than $1000 are making a comeback with Scoot planning five return flights a week.
Four years after Air Asia canned its Gold Coast to Europe legs via Kuala Lumpur, Scoot has put the route back on its radar, planning Gold Coast-Europe flights via a stop in Singapore.
Scoot’s Australia general manager Dennis Basham is promising seats at $200 to $300 cheaper than what is generally available.
Mr Basham yesterday confirmed Scoot would start the return flights out of the Gold Coast to three or four different European destinations next year.
Scheduling would start with five flights a week but aim to climb to seven, with one available every day, he said.
Plane watcher Brock Little watches as the new Scoot Dreamliner aircraft touches down at Gold Coast Airport for the first time on its way to Singapore. Picture: David Clark
With competing airlines offering prices in the $1300 range, Scoot deals could see return trips to Europe on offer for under $1000.
“We have three to four destinations in Europe we are looking at,” Mr Basham said.
“The first one we announce will be a very interesting destination for Australians that is not traditionally serviced.”
Mr Basham wouldn’t reveal any of the European destinations Scoot was looking at but said he hoped to reveal two by the end of the year.
“Air Asia tried this a few years ago and pulled out so unless someone starts up before we do, Scoot will be the only budget carrier offering one-stop flights from the Gold Coast to Europe,” he said.
Air Asia pulled the pin in 2012 citing exorbitant government airline and airport taxes and worsening European economic conditions. Passengers booking Scoot’s Gold Coast-Europe legs will fly via its Dreamliner 787 aircraft with the 900 series offering 375 seats and the 800 series offering 335.
The new Scoot Dreamliner aircraft pictured touching down at Gold Coast Airport for the first time on its way to Singapore. Picture: David Clark
Mr Basham said they were waiting for the Dreamliners serving the new routes to be fitted with rest quarters for the flight crew.
The flights would take about eight hours from the Gold Coast to Singapore.
The first Europe destination would be a further 10 to 11 hours flying time from Singapore.
The transit time in Singapore would run from 3.30pm Singapore time to midnight.
Gold Coast Tourism chief executive Martin Winter welcomed the plan by Scoot which could prove attractive to inbound Commonwealth Games spectators in 2018.
“Anything that is going to provide more affordable fares from Europe is very welcome, particularly given we have had extremely strong growth from European markets Great Britain and Germany in the past 12 months.
“With the Commonwealth Games coming up this will appeal to many spectators who want to attend,” Mr Winter said.
Gold Coast Airport was unavailable to comment yesterday.
The airport’s plan to introduce a new Instrument Landing System aimed at reducing weather-related disruptions awaits an Administrative Appeals Tribunal hearing this month.
Mr Basham said Scoot’s Dreamliners were fitted with ILS technology but were not reliant on ILS implementation on the Gold Coast to start the new Europe flights.