Cairns Airport is closing in on international pre-COVID seat capacity for the first time with the return of Cathay Pacific flights between Hong Kong and Cairns in December.
The airline will operate services on a two-class configured Airbus A330 aircraft three times per week between 17 December 2024 and 29 March 2025, covering the peak Christmas holiday period and Chinese New Year festivities.
Hong Kong serves as a hub for passengers travelling from mainland China, across Asia, the UK and Europe.
The flights are good news for Far North Queensland meat, fisheries, fruit, and vegetable producers who will have a direct link for exports into Hong Kong and mainland China.
It’s also a win for the $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund which has now secured 35 international services since February 2022.
The 35 services are estimated to deliver more than 2.27 million inbound international seats, up to $2 billion in overnight visitor spending each year and support almost 23,000 Queensland jobs.
“Cathay Pacific returning to Cairns is something not only the tourism industry has been waiting for, but also our agriculture, aquaculture and international student sectors,” Queesnland Tourism Minister Michael Healy said.
“This will be welcomed across our business community and I expect it will see a rekindling of the healthy relationship between Cairns and China and the significant economic benefits it brings.
“It will lead to growth in tourism numbers, growth in our export market and growth in our Far North regional economy.”
Frosti Lau, Cathay Pacific’s Southwest Pacific general manager is thrilled about the return of the service.
“This seasonal service will offer direct access to Hong Kong and provide seamless connections to the rest of the world, including into London, the Chinese Mainland, India and the US,” she said.
“It will also encourage inbound visitors from Europe, the US, Canada and key Asian markets – all ready to explore the stunning Cairns region.
“Not only is this an important route for customers travelling in and out of Tropical North Queensland, but it is also an incredibly valuable port for cargo and the trade economy.
“Cathay Pacific will support local live seafood, meat and seasonal fruit exporters predominately, with expertise to manage deliveries across a range of industries.”
Feature Image: Cairns Airport CEO, Richard Barker, Cathay Pacific regional general manager Southwest Pacific, Frosti Lau, Tourism Minister and State Member for Cairns, Michael Healy, and Tourism Tropical North Queensland deputy chair, Wayne Reynolds, celebrate the return of Cathay Pacific services to Cairns Airport at an official announcement on Thursday 27 June. (Supplied)
