NEWCASTLE Airport will announce direct flights from Williamtown to Cairns on Thursday, clearing a straight into the tropical north for Hunter holiday-makers just in time for winter.
The new Williamtown to Cairns route will eliminate the need for passengers to lay over in Brisbane.
It is slated to include outbound flights on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Cairns-bound flights will leave the Hunter at 10.25am on Mondays, 3.15pm on Wednesdays and 6.45pm on Saturdays.
Return flights will leave Queensland 7.10am on Mondays, 2.35pm on Wednesdays and 3.30pm on Saturdays.
Jetstar said the service means the route, which will be served by A320s, will serve up to 6000 passengers each month.
The Newcastle Herald can reveal tickets for the services are expected to go on sale today immediately following the formal announcement of the service at noon.
It marks a major route addition for the Hunter hub amid ongoing international border closures beyond the New Zealand bubble that began operating from Australian airports this week.
Newcastle Airport chief executive Dr Peter Cock said the direct flights were a boon.
"We see this service as a great example of delivering the airport our region deserves, Dr Cock said.
"We also expect to see thousands of people from tropical Queensland come down to our part of the world and enjoy all that our region has to offer."
Jetstar will operate the two hour 45 minute services from June 23.
Fares are understood to be less than $70 as part of a launch sale on the service, which is slated to run for at least 16 weeks until October 4.
Cairns Airport head of aviation Garry Porter said the route would let northern Queenslanders visit Australia's sixth-largest city.
"The Newcastle and Hunter region has a population in excess of 1.2 million people and this second gateway from NSW to the tropical north makes it even easier for more regional visitors," Mr Porter said.
Jetstar Group CEO Gareth Evans said increased demand had driven the airline's new service.
"We're expecting to see great demand between Cairns and Newcastle, which will boost local jobs and support local tourism economies," he said.
