Written by ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
China Southern Airlines is returning to Brisbane with a service four times per week and due to grow to a daily service within two years.
The new service starts on November 17 and over three years will land almost 278,000 inbound seats to Brisbane, generating nearly $441 million for the economy and supporting up to 1790 local jobs.
The decision follows the Chinese Government’s decision to allow travel agencies in China to book outbound group travel to Australia following political differences between the countries.
China Southern Airlines Regional General Manager for Australia/NZ, Jason Sun said: “The resumption of this flight is a testament to the valuable support provided by the Queensland Government and Brisbane Airport to China Southern Airlines and showcases our shared vision for the future.
“Through this collaboration, China Southern Airlines aims to further expand the ‘Canton Route’ and, in turn, contribute to the influx of tourists from China as well as business and leisure travellers from other parts of the globe to Queensland.”
Brisbane Airport Chief Executive Officer Gert-Jan de Graaff just returned from Guangzhou after holding personal talks with the airline.
“Currently more than half of Queensland’s visitors from China are forced to fly via Sydney or Melbourne and the rest are coming via destinations like Singapore and Hong Kong,” he pointed out.
“No single country has a bigger impact on Queensland’s tourism industry as China. We welcome China Southern Airlines back to the BNE family, and the thousands of tourists who will follow, and the good jobs they’ll support across Queensland,” he said.
Qld Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe described the airline’s return as “a game changer” and “an incredibly important step” in rebuilding Queensland’s post-pandemic international tourism economy.
“We’re keen to see Chinese travellers falling in love all over again with our awe-inspiring visitor experiences,” he said.
“China is crucial to Tourism and Events Queensland’s Blueprint for growing an $11 billion international visitor economy on our runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said: “This is news our tourism industry has been eagerly awaiting.
“Twice this year I’ve travelled to China to meet with stakeholders and rally Team Queensland to ensure we not just re-establish this market but hopefully grow it.
“We know how important this market is and will be working hard to put Queensland right at the top of the ‘must do’ list.”
Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said: “It is great to be welcoming back direct flights between Guangzhou and Queensland’s capital city.
“The return of these giants of aviation to our skies is a good sign of tourism confidence and revitalisation.
“Better connectivity and greater availability of direct flights makes Queensland a more appealing destination and gives us a competitive edge in a highly competitive global market.”
China Southern Airlines services to Brisbane will depart from Guangzhou. It was the first Chinese airline to fly to Brisbane, from 2010 until the pandemic closed borders. Pre-Covid, the airline carried the most Chinese arrivals into the state and was the largest export air-cargo carrier from Queensland to China. The current number of passengers arriving from China is sitting at 12% of 2019 levels.
EXPORT BOOST
Queensland exporters will welcome the return of a direct air-cargo channel, which saw 11,000 tonnes per year sent from BNE to China pre-Covid but with the vast majority of Queensland produce flown via Sydney or Melbourne.
Queensland’s top exports to China include chilled beef, seafood, provitamins and vitamins, beauty and make-up products and fresh produce.
The airline’s return was facilitated by Queensland’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.
Australia-China Business Council CEO Elizabeth Sullivan: “The return of these flights is hugely important for facilitating two-way direct people-to-people links, particularly for those in the trade and investment space, and across the broader community, including in tourism and education.
“Behind all the trade and investment numbers are hundreds of Queensland companies and thousands of jobs across the State. These flights will make it so much smoother and easier for those wanting to do business or to travel to now visit Queensland and/or China.”
NEXT GEN AIRCRAFT
China Southern will operate the new generation Airbus A350 aircraft to Brisbane.
The aircraft is designed to be 50% quieter and 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat compared to the previous generation aircraft used in 2019.
The aircraft will have 334 seats in a 28+306 configuration.
Tasman Aircraft 