Story by ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Cathay Pacific is expanding its Hong Kong-Brisbane service from four to six direct flights a week starting in December 2023.
The airline’s decision has been swayed by support from the Queensland Government’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF), partly funded by the state’s international airports.
Cathay Pacific’s increased frequency will generate 76,440 seats to Brisbane in just the first year of operation, support 840 Queensland jobs and generate almost $158 million over two years.
Qld Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the airline’s decision “demonstrates” the benefits of the AAIF beyond the tourism economy.
“As an aviation super hub, Hong Kong is a strategic connection for overseas visitors and international students discovering Queensland’s great lifestyle, as well as the state’s exporters,” he said.
“Cathay Pacific’s extra outbound airfreight capacity delivers new international opportunities for exporters like Sunshine Coast-based Walker Seafoods.
“Whether it’s our world-class seafood or pharmaceuticals, increasing airfreight into Hong Kong and beyond supports local exporters to grow and create more good Queensland jobs.”
Cathay Pacific Acting Regional Manager Southwest Pacific Sandeep Pillay described Brisbane as “a key port” for Cathay Pacific’s cargo and travel services.
“The support from the Queensland Government and Brisbane Airport is hugely valued as we increase our service from Brisbane to Hong Kong and beyond,” he said.
Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said: “The link between Brisbane and Hong Kong is one of the region’s most critical for Queensland exports, and this will deliver money into the pockets of rural producers across the state, as well as local seafood companies, and of course tourism operators.
“This week, 41 years ago, we celebrated the arrival of the very first Cathay Pacific 747 to Brisbane. Today we celebrate the expansion of this service as we slowly build back to full pre-COVID flight schedule.”
Walker Seafoods is a potential beneficiary of Cathay Pacific’s extra 50 tonnes of airfreight capacity a week. Employing 50 workers, Walker Seafoods is exploring new international markets.
During 2021-22, $157 million in Queensland fresh food, pharmaceutical and manufactured goods exports were airlifted to Hong Kong.
Heidi Walker from Walker Seafoods said they had been “hamstrung trying to get our exports onto planes due to the limited capacity”.
“We don’t like trucking to Sydney, it’s not good for the product, it’s not reliable and it adds a long time and cost to the trip,” she said.
“More flights through Brisbane means we can export more, which means more employment for our staff here on the Sunshine Coast.”
Hong Kong is a strategic aviation hub with direct connections to key Queensland visitor source markets including the UK, Europe, India and China.
The $200 million AAIF has secured 24 international services, delivering more than 1.81 million inbound seats a year, $1.35 billion for the state tourism economy and 16,800 good jobs.