Updated 4:26pm 13/08/2012:

Qantas will finally return to the Gold Coast after pulling out of the market five years ago.

The airline announce that it is jumping back into the Gold Coast market after abandoning it completely by recommencing 3 x daily Sydney flights from late October and upgrading the existing Jetstar lounge to a full blown Qantas Club.

Qantas fans on the Gold Coast have previously had to fly with Jetstar, Tiger or Virgin, with the later being the only full service airline serving the destination. Virgin recently completed construction of a new lounge at the Gold Coast airport and its recent foray into the business class means former Qantas loyals are jumping ship. I imagine that Alan Joyce doesn’t like it one bit.

It also helps that the Gold Coast will be home to the 2018 Commonwealth Games – it would be ironic for the games to be held at a destination that isn’t served by its national airline.

Qantas is having a $48 sale for one way fares between Sydney and Gold Coast. Visit the Qantas website for more information.

Sale ends 3PM (AEST) 15 August 2012, unless sold out prior.