Story by ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Images supplied
On October 27, American Airlines will launch a direct, seasonal service between Brisbane and Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The new flights on a 244-seat Boeng 787-900 will support up to 690 local jobs over three years.
The plane can carry up to 18 tonnes in freight as well; Queensland exports to the US last financial year totalled $409 million. The service will become the longest non-stop flight in the airline’s network.
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It features a morning departure from BNE and a late evening departure from DFW.
The new route is expected to bring 141,000 seats into Queensland over three years, filled by a forecast 62,000 international visitors, who will spend up to $113 million. Among them are expected to be American students, the 10th largest international cohort of students in Queensland but whose numbers had dropped since the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Jose Freig is American Airline’s Vice President International Operations and said the service is in partnership with Qantas.
“We’ve had an incredible response from travellers looking to venture to North America and beyond from Australia so we’re excited to be further strengthening our Asia-Pacific footprint as we add sunny Queensland to our growing list of destinations,” he said.
“With our new route and our partnership with Qantas, we hope to open-up the world even more to customers.”
He pointed out that this service would serve as a gateway to American’s North American market for inbound passengers.
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Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO, Brisbane Airport, described the airline’s entry as “a milestone moment, locking in Brisbane Airport’s 30th direct international connection, our 25th international airline, and Brisbane’s longest route”.
“Its Dallas-Fort Worth hub will provide travellers with a world of options in North, Central and South America,” he said.
“Our partnership with American Airlines supercharges Brisbane Airport’s position as an aviation hub and will be Brisbane’s fourth gateway into North America, alongside Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles.”
Qld Premier Steven Miles described the decision as “a massive win for Queensland tourism”, creating nearly 700 local jobs.
“It’s been a tough few months for tourism operators but this new flight promises better times ahead for them, our primary producer exporters, and education providers,” he said.
“Our government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund has now supported 28 new flights which generate about $1.75 billion in overnight visitor spending each year, supporting more than 20,000 jobs.”
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Queensland Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick, said: “This is a massive coup for Queensland as we continue to rebuild international tourism after the COVID downturn, opening up the state to the lucrative North American market during the peak winter period.”
“This new American Airlines service also opens up so many new opportunities for Queensland businesses, in Texas and across parts of the eastern and southern United States.
Tourism Minister Michael Healy said: “Brisbane is a global brand and continues to grow since being named an Olympic and Paralympic City, so this gives Americans the chance to see our state first-hand and provides an avenue for students and their families to return.
“The extra freight capacity is great news for Queensland exports, especially with fresh produce now able to be flown out of Brisbane instead of being trucked interstate to other airports.
“Securing American Airlines through our government’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund is an important step in rebuilding Queensland’s international visitor economy post the pandemic.”
The flights are supported by the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which has supported 28 services and delivered two million international seats with up to $1.75 billion in overnight visitor spending each year and supporting more than 20,000 jobs.
• American Airlines is also due to restart its seasonal Los Angeles-Auckland service earlier than expected. The new service starts December 5 and will feature a Boeing 787-900.