Link Airways will resume direct seasonal flights between Canberra and Coffs Harbour from Thursday 10 September 2026, operating twice weekly through to January 2027, Canberra Airport confirms.
The ACT-based carrier will fly the route on Thursdays and Sundays each week, spanning spring, summer and the Christmas holiday period on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Bookings are open now, giving travel sellers a direct regional product to lock in for clients well ahead of the peak leisure season.
The twice-weekly schedule links two regional communities without the long drive along the coast, and works in both directions: Canberrans heading for the beach, and Coffs Coast residents travelling to the national capital.
Who the route suits
The timing lands squarely on the holiday calendar. Departing in mid-September, the service opens as Canberra hosts Floriade, the capital’s spring flower festival, and runs through the summer and Christmas break.
For sellers, that spans several bookable occasions: beach holidays and family visits on the Coffs Coast, and event, dining and cultural-institution trips into Canberra from the Mid North Coast.
Canberra Airport head of aviation Michael Thomson said the route had built a following in previous seasons.
“We’re delighted that Link Airways has once again committed to operating their seasonal direct services between Canberra and Coffs Harbour,” he remarked.
“The route has proven popular with travellers seeking an easy coastal getaway, and these flights provide a convenient alternative to long drives while connecting two important regional communities.”
“Whether it’s a beach holiday, visiting friends and family, or exploring everything the Coffs Coast has to offer, this service makes travel simpler and more accessible for our region,” Mr Thomson said.
Why the return matters
Direct regional air links remain thin on the ground, so the return of a proven route adds genuine choice for both leisure and business travellers between the ACT and the coast.
Link Airways manager of network strategy Jeff Boyd said support for the service had underpinned the decision to bring it back.
“We have seen strong support for the Canberra Coffs Harbour service and are pleased to be bringing the route back for another season,” he stated.
“Direct regional air services play an important role in connecting communities, supporting tourism and providing travellers with greater choice and convenience.”
ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism and Trade Andrew Barr also welcomed the announcement.
“It’s great to see this service return, it demonstrates confidence in Canberra, and again aligns with Canberra’s biggest celebration of spring, Floriade, making it easier once again for the communities of the Coffs Coast to travel to Canberra to visit and support our local businesses,” said the Chief Minister.
Link Airways operates services across multiple states and territories from its Canberra base.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Regional point-to-point routes like this rarely make headlines, but they quietly solve a real client problem: a coastal getaway without the drive, or a Canberra event trip without a Sydney connection. With the schedule pinned to Floriade and the Christmas break, it’s a two-way sell that’s bookable today.
