IN a special offer Mackay residents will be able to fly direct to Melbourne in February.

Previously Tigerair had a direct route between the cities, but this was dumped in September 2015 "due to a lack of demand”.

At the moment residents who want to fly to Melbourne have to go via Brisbane.

But Virgin Australia are offering residents the opportunity to fly direct to Melbourne on February 25-26.

The flights are to celebrate the AFL pre-season match between Gold Coast and Essendon in Mackay.

The flights will be:

Departing Mackay:

. Saturday 25 February (departing Noon / arriving 2pm)

. Sunday 26 February (departing 5.25pm / arriving 7.25pm)

Departing Melbourne:

. Saturday 25 February (departing 2.35pm / 6.25pm)

. Sunday 26 February (departing 9pm / 11.50pm)

Find out more here.