Written by ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
American carrier Delta Air Lines will begin a direct Los Angeles-Brisbane service with three seasonal flights a week from December 4.
The Qld Government says the airline could upgrade the service to a daily one in 2025 or 2026 through its $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, co-funded by the government and the state’s biggest airports.
The new flights are expected to attract up to 114,000 visitors to Queensland over three years, spend up to $208 million and create up to 840 jobs.
For Qld exporters; Delta’s Airbus A350-900 can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo back to the US.
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Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick says the Fund is helping put Qld tourism operators and exporters first.
“Our government‘s deal with Delta Air Lines ensures Americans can now fly directly to the Sunshine State using any of the three largest airlines in the world.
“The increased services should also put downward pressure on airline prices while providing more opportunities for Queensland’s exporters to tap into the world’s largest economy,” Mr Dick said.
Qld Tourism Minister Michael Healy described the news as “another huge win for Queensland” and “fantastic news”.
“The US was Queensland’s third largest visitor market in 2019 so we know there is a real appetite from Americans to travel to Queensland and enjoy our great lifestyle and iconic visitor experiences.
“The US also represents the 10th largest international student cohort in Queensland so this announcement will help us attract even more students and their families back for extended stays,” Mr Healy said.
“Part of the funding through AAIF will go towards a TEQ-led marketing campaign to promote the Delta Air Lines flights while Delta’s service agreement with REX (Airlines) will allow passengers to make seamless domestic connections.”
Delta Air Lines Senior Vice-President of Network Planning Joe Esposito
“With this addition of Brisbane, Delta’s upcoming winter schedule will offer our customers up to 17 weekly flights between the US and Australia.”
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaf said they were proud to be chosen as Delta’s second destination in Australia.
“This strategic move by Delta Air Lines not only fortifies the ties between the US and Queensland but also signifies a boost for the local visitor economy.”
Delta Air Lines Senior Vice-President of Network Planning Joe Esposito said: “With this addition of Brisbane, Delta’s upcoming winter schedule will offer our customers up to 17 weekly flights between the US and Australia.
“This marks our most extensive schedule to the South Pacific to date. As we build our presence in the region, we know our customers will enjoy the enhanced experience consistently provided by Delta.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said they were already in talks with Delta about joint marketing opportunities to kick-off mid-year.
“Additional direct access from Los Angeles into Brisbane is a massive opportunity for our tourism industry.
“While the United States is one of our biggest markets, we have so far only recovered around three quarters of our 2019 numbers, so we have gains to make to recover and then grow beyond pre-pandemic visitor levels,” she said.