Gladstone enters the Jet Age courtesy of Alliance Airlines

Brisbane-based Alliance Airlines has introduced jet services on the Gladstone-Brisbane route, permanently removing 30-seat Embraer Brasilia turboprop aircraft from the market.

Effective immediately, 91-seat Fokker 100 twinjets will operate 12 return Gladstone - Brisbane services each week, more than doubling the number of seats available.

News of the permanent jet operations was announced today after a successful trial of the Fokker 100 during the quiet January period.

The introduction of Fokker 100 will not only bring jets to the route - it will bring Business Class to Gladstone for the benefit of the corporate market.

The airline has also promised to retain the popular $79 one way Economy fare between Gladstone and Brisbane ($157 return) while introducing a Business Class fare of $336.00 for one way travel ($673 return). The Alliance Airlines full Economy fare is $292 one-way and $585 return. All fares include all taxes, fees and statutory charges.

"Gladstone is a major destination in our network, and the introduction of jets is a big vote of confidence in this market," said Alliance Airlines Managing Director Mr Scott McMillan.

"The Embraer Brasilia has served Gladstone well - but the time has now come to upgrade to jets, in response not only to business growth but following favorable customer reaction during January.

"The Fokker 100s more than three times bigger than the Brasilias they replace, are more spacious and comfortable.

"The rear-mounted Rolls Royce engines also provide a quiet ride for passengers, and emit minimal noise for communities living near airports or beneath flight paths."

Alliance jet services will depart Gladstone at 8.20am and 5.45pm each weekday.

Flights from Brisbane will depart at 6.00am and 3.15pm.

Alliance also will operate a Gladstone - Brisbane jet every Saturday at 11.45am, arriving at 12.45pm, and a Sunday flight from Brisbane to Gladstone, departing at 3.00pm and arriving at 4.00pm.

The Alliance jets are configured to seat up to 16 passengers in Business Class cabin and up to 75 in the Economy Cabin. They have already proved to be very popular on the Townsville - Brisbane and Rockhampton - Brisbane routes.

The introduction of the larger aircraft not only provides more seats for business travellers, but adds capacity for tourists visiting the region, or for residents of the Gladstone area to fly south taking advantage of the most competitive airfares seen in the Gladstone market for years.