Qantas has joined Jetstar and Virgin Australia in putting on extra flights to Tasmania over the peak summer period.From mid-February the airline will run an additional two return flights a week between Hobart and Melbourne until the last week of March.The Tourism Industry Council’s Luke Martin says the challenge remains to make the extra flights a permanent fixture.

We don’t want to start seeing these flights withdrawn in March-April, because we know when we come to this time next year we’ll have the same problem.This is a year-long issue and our challenge is going to be being able to demonstrate demand to visit Tasmanian can be sustained over the quieter winter months.Tourism Minister Scott Bacon says the decision is a sign of confidence in the state as a tourist destination.He says it will improve access to the state, boosting tourism, hospitality and the broader economy.