REGIONAL air carrier Qantaslink is putting on a bigger plane for its Cairns-Townsville service. 

The arrival of three 72-seat Bombardier Q400 planes over the next two months will increase capacity on the route by replacing the 50-seat Dash-8 Q300s which fly five weekly services between the two northern cities.

The new planes are part of 12 Q400s Qantaslink has on order.

The new planes have seen Qantaslink restore some services to regional airports as well as increasing the capacity on others.

Qantas group general manager regional airlines Narendra Kumar said the new planes provided jet-like speed and improved passenger comfort.

"The arrival of these aircraft, and nine more to follow, are central to our growth strategy in regional airports," Mr Kumar said.

In other airline news, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism Queensland have launched a campaign with Qantas Holidays to increase visitors to the region during September and October.

The campaign, which targets the family market in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, features 30 TTNQ members.

This month the four-week advertising blitz provides strong exposure through Qantas Holidays’ communication channels, which include full-colour flyers inserted into newspapers, electronic direct mail, Qantas Holidays outlets, Qantas Group in-flight promotion, television and retail exposure, as well as on the internet.

TTNQ chief executive Rob Giason said the campaign timing was provided from industry feedback indicating the need to run a family oriented campaign to stimulate travel during the September and October period.

"This tactical campaign will specifically target the family market and is based on the opportunity and potential return this segment can provide during the months of school holidays, particularly in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland," Mr Giason said.

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