Qantas Airways has released plans to strengthen its domestic operations with additional capacity on services between Melbourne-Tasmania and Adelaide-Canberra.

In a bid to offer greater convenience, frequency and options to customers, Qantas will add more than 1700 seats each week on flights between Melbourne and Tasmania.

”Alongside the twice daily Boeing 737 services operating between Melbourne and Hobart, we are looking forward to increasing frequency on the route with the introduction of our Q400 aircraft,” Qantas domestic chief Lyell Strambi said.

“From October, we will increase services between Melbourne and Hobart from twice daily to three times per day, providing our customers with seamless connections to and from Hobart.”

October also marks the month in which Qantas will operate an additional five services per week between Adelaide and the nation’s capital, Canberra.

As well as adding 740 seats, Mr Strambi said the increased frequency will provide middle of the day travel options for both business and leisure customers.

“We remain committed to ensuring our customers have the greatest flexibility and choice to destinations across the Qantas domestic network.”

Qantas also announced an aircraft upgrade on its Melbourne to Canberra route with one return service being upgraded from a Q300 to a Q400 aircraft, adding a further 336 seats each week.

Mr Strambi said other Tasmanian destinations will also be taking advantage of the Q400 aircraft.

“In the next few months Hobart, Launceston and Devonport will all benefit from additional and upgraded services to and from Melbourne, operated by QantasLink Q400 aircraft.”

Tasmania’s Minister for Tourism Scott Bacon said Qantas’ confidence in Tasmania was beneficial and welcoming.