Qantas Q400 planes provide extra seats into Devonport Airport

Devonport Airport owner, TasPorts, is in regular communication with Qantas and confirms the new Q400 planes will increase seat capacity by more than 100 extra seats per week into Devonport Airport.

TasPorts' Chief Executive Officer Anthony Donald said the current Q300 planes have a seat capacity of 50 with the Q400 featuring 74.

"While Qantas currently has 27 services a week, even with 20 services a week to Devonport Airport, the new Q400 planes provide more than 100 extra seats weekly into Devonport.

"What we will be doing is continuing to strongly advocate in our discussions with Qantas for the schedule and frequency of services to provide adequate coverage to and from Devonport Airport during peak business times, as we recognise how important this is for the northwest."

Mr Donald said Devonport Airport security and infrastructure stood ready to welcome the bigger Q400 planes, and he was hopeful Qantas would announce an increase in services.

"We know for smaller regional airports moving to larger planes can present infrastructure challenges, but Devonport Airport is well equipped to welcome the bigger planes right now.

"We are continuing to invest for growth, and for Devonport Airport to remain a key gateway to Tasmania's northwest, and we will continue to have proactive discussions with Qantas."