Cathay Pacific resumes Cairns-Hong Kong flights for the first time since COVID-19
The three-times-weekly service will use the airline's Airbus A330 and will operate from December 17, 2024 to March 29, 2025.
This adds to the airport's revitalised international network, which currently includes Tokyo, Singapore and Auckland.
Cathay Pacific regional general manager Frosty Lau said the new route would connect mainland China, India and the United States.
“Not only is this an important route for customers traveling to and from Tropical North Queensland, it is also an incredibly valuable port for our freight and trade economy,” he said.
“Cathay Pacific has the expertise to manage shipments across a range of industries and will primarily support local live fish, meat and seasonal fruit exporters.”
Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy added the flights would add almost 27,000 seats to the season and carry up to 13,000 overseas visitors spending about $20 million.
“This is another win for the Miles Labor government’s $200 million aviation investment fund,” Healy said.
“AAIF will secure 35 international routes from February 2022, delivering more than 2.27 million inbound seats and up to $2 billion in overnight visitor spend each year, supporting approximately 23,000 jobs in Queensland.”
This follows Australian Airways reporting last month that Cathay Pacific was set to return to full pre-pandemic capacity at Brisbane and Perth airports.
The airline will increase its Perth-Hong Kong route from six to 11 flights per week and Brisbane-Hong Kong from six to 10 flights per week from October 28, while Sydney and Melbourne will maintain their current four and three daily flights respectively.
Cathay Pacific Group, which includes low-cost subsidiary HK Express, said it aims to restore 100% pre-pandemic global capacity across its passenger network in the first quarter of 2025, and said it had reached 80% as of the second quarter. Of the year.
The airline previously resumed daily Perth flights in February, but later suspended one of those services.
Meanwhile, Cairns Airport will undergo up to $155 million worth of upgrades with Mackay after securing a loan from the federal government's Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
A loan to North Queensland Airports (NQA) will see Cairns International Terminal undergo major refurbishment for the first time in its almost 30-year history, while Mackay Airport will upgrade its runways, taxiways and apron services and develop a mix of retail and commercial precincts. A zone will be created.