QantasLink to expand services to Whyalla in 2015

QantasLink says it will start flying to Whyalla on South Australia's upper Spencer Gulf region next year, becoming the second airline to offer services to the area.

The airline will fly twice daily from April, joining Regional Express as the only other airline flying to the city.

QantasLink chief executive officer John Gissing said Whyalla's upgraded facilities and a local council that had been promoting tourism and business in the area contributed to the decision.

"We're very confident in the future of Whyalla," Mr Gissing said.

"We see opportunity there for competition and to connect Whyalla to the world and the world to Whyalla in a way that's not happening at the moment."

QantasLink will offer a double daily service on its 50-seat Q300 aircraft flying up to 1,300 passengers a week between Whyalla and Adelaide.

The announcement followed the completion of a $2.72 million upgrade of Whyalla Airport.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said the extra flights would provide a boost to the local economy.

"The Whyalla region is experiencing significant growth in the mining and resource processing industries, along with renewable energy projects," he said.

"Ensuring our regional centres can support economic growth is critical to South Australia."