Larger, faster planes for the North-West Coast

QANTAS has introduced its larger Q400 aircraft to the Devonport-Melbourne route, with plans for the new aircraft to also service Burnie next year.

The Q400 planes are larger than the current 50-seat Q300s, with a capacity of 74 passengers and are also faster than the smaller aircraft.

QANTAS says by April next year, the Q400 fleet will add 350 seats a week or 18,000 more a year from Devonport alone.

The Q400s will be introduced gradually as pilots and crews are trained for the new aircraft.

Following public backlash last month, QANTAS has also announced it will re-introduce axed early morning services from Devonport on Mondays and Tuesdays from January 31.