Cathay Pacific will restart flights from Cairns to Hong Kong, the first time flights have been restored since the outbreak of the epidemic.
The three-times-weekly route will be operated from December 17, 2024 to March 29, 2025 using the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft.
The airport is experiencing a revival in its international route network, which now covers Tokyo, Singapore and Auckland.
Cathay Pacific regional general manager Andy Lau said the new routes will also connect mainland China, India and the United States.
“Not only is this a vital route for passengers travelling in and out of Tropical North Queensland, it’s also an extremely valuable port to the freight and trading economy,” he said.
“Cathay Pacific will primarily support local exporters of live fish, meat and seasonal fruit, using its expertise to manage deliveries across a range of industries.”
Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy added the flights would inject almost 27,000 seats this quarter, carrying up to 13,000 inbound international visitors, with an estimated spending of $20 million.
“This is another win for the Miles Labor Government’s $200 million aviation investment fund,” Mr Healy said.
“Since February 2022, AAIF has secured 35 international routes, providing more than 2.27 million inbound seats and up to $2 billion in overnight visitor spend each year, supporting nearly 23,000 jobs in Queensland.”
Previously, Australia reported last month on how Cathay Pacific would return to Full production capacity before the epidemic Straddling Brisbane and Perth Airports.
From October 28, the airline will increase Perth to Hong Kong flights from six to 11 per week, and Brisbane to Hong Kong flights from six to 10 per week, while Sydney and Melbourne flights will remain at the current four and three per week respectively.
Cathay Pacific Group, which includes budget carrier subsidiary Hong Kong Express, aims to restore 100% of its global passenger network capacity to pre-pandemic levels by the first quarter of 2025, and said it had reached 80% as of the second quarter of this year.
The airline previously Daily flights to Perth resume But one of the services was later cancelled.
Meanwhile, Cairns Airport will accept Upgrades worth up to $155 million The company entered into the joint venture with Mackay after receiving a loan from the federal government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund (NAIF).
The loan to North Queensland Airport (NQA) will see the Cairns International Terminal undergo a major refurbishment for the first time in its approximately 30-year history, while Mackay Airport will upgrade runways, taxiways and apron services and create a mixed retail and commercial precinct.
