By aviation writer SCOTT MAYMAN

LOW-cost carrier Jetstar is increasing its frequency of flights between Canberra and the Gold Coast.

Starting on Sunday, October 29,  Jetstar will add a fifth weekly service between the two destinations.

For the past year or so,  the airline flew on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays – a vast reduction from the previous service offered by its owner Qantas and far less than the frequency offered by Virgin.

The loss of the daily Qantas service was seen as a huge blow for politicians, who used the service to get in and out of Canberra, as well as leisure travellers who relied on the weekend getaway.

Now,  the additional service for the weekend means anyone flying from Canberra on Friday can enjoy a weekend on the glitter strip and return on Sunday.

However, at a time when an airline from the embattled Qantas group should be talking up positive news about its service, Jetstar’s media spokesperson is avoiding public scrutiny by denying me access to an executive for additional comment.

Emily Gayton, from Jetstar’s media team, won’t provide answers to subsequent questions around the extra-service announcement. So we’re left wondering until it starts.