TIGER Airways will start direct flights to and from Sydney to the Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine from April next year - and the tickets are going on sale at 1pm today.

There will be three weekly return services - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Whitsunday mayor Jenny Whitney welcomed the announcement and said it was a huge win for the community and our local tourism industry,

She estimated it would provide an estimated increase in economic value to the region of $6 million per annum.

"This will lead to further growth and job development across the region," she said.

The tickets are available from 1pm today from $84.95 each way.

Tiger also announced changes to its Mackay schedule.

Flights between Sydney and Mackay will continue over Christmas, New Year and January and will cease operations from February 1, 2014.

Tigerair Australia's Commercial Director, Carly Brear, said the company had witnessed overwhelming demand from budget travellers wanting to gain easy access to Airlie Beach and surrounding areas.

"Our decision to introduce the new Sydney - Whitsunday Coast route, whilst removing the Sydney - Mackay service, is based on consumer demand," she said.

"A direct service between Sydney and Whitsunday Coast will be a coup for budget travellers, in particular the all-important backpacker market. We look forward to working with the Whitsundays community to provide a much needed boost to local tourism and we're confident residents will welcome the direct flights to Sydney as well."

Direct flights from Sydney to the Whitsunday Coast Airport have not been available since 2008.

More details on the Tiger announcement will be in Thursday's edition of the Whitsunday Times.