Melbourne to Busselton Jetstar flights date confirmed for September

Jetstar will try to get its direct flights from Melbourne to Busselton up and running for the seventh time, with September 1 now the launch date.

But the long-awaited visitor flights from the eastern States have been up in the air for all the wrong reasons thanks to staggered lockdowns and COVID-19 panic emanating out of NSW.

The service was originally set to launch in March 2020 when COVID-19 halted the trial.

A Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association spokesperson said confidence remained high despite another delay.

“Due to ongoing travel restrictions, the inaugural Jetstar flight from Melbourne to Busselton has been further postponed until Wednesday, September 1,” they said.

“The South West Wanderer Pass incentive will continue, although we expect redemptions will be slow until the route recommences. We encourage tour, attraction and experience operators to get involved in the campaign.”

MRBTA said Jetstar would contact affected customers and operators, and refunds would also be available.

Co-chief executive Sharna Kearney said local operators were feeling the pinch.

“It was always going to be challenging launching a new route in the middle of a pandemic, and it is promising that Jetstar remain committed to flying at the earliest opportunity,” she said.