- Queensland’s first direct flights from Vietnam touches down in Brisbane, supporting up to 370 good Queensland jobs.
- Vietjet from Ho Chi Minh City to land 176,900 inbound seats generating more than $115 million for Queensland’s visitor economy over three years.
- 18 direct international services supported by Queensland’s nation-leading $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund war chest.
Queensland’s first-ever direct international flight from Vietnam arrives in Brisbane tonight, Friday 16 June.
The Vietjet widebody A330-300 lands at 10pm with 377 passengers and crew onboard.
Queensland’s $200 million international aviation war chest is supporting twice weekly flights from Vietnam’s largest airport, Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International.
Vietjet plans to grow the Ho Chi Minh City to Brisbane service to four per week after the first year.
It’s predicted during the first year, Vietjet will land up to 39,000 passengers in Brisbane, generating almost $30 million for Queensland’s visitor economy.
The 2021 Census revealed more than 31,000 Queenslanders speak Vietnamese, the second most popular non-English language spoken at home after Mandarin.
Vietnam is Queensland’s fifth largest export destination, valued at $5.5 billion in 2021-22 including $20 million in outbound airfreight.
Queensland’s top airfreight export to Vietnam is 360 tonnes of meat per year worth $6.5 million, followed by $5 million in leather products, $1.6 million in fresh fruit and vegetables and $1.4 million in pharmaceuticals.
Vietnam is a growing market for Queensland education exports and is currently the State’s twelfth largest source of international students studying onshore.
The Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million aviation war chest – in partnership with Queensland’s four international airports – is backing 18 direct international services to deliver more than 1.4 million inbound seats annually, an estimated $1.146 billion in overnight visitor spending and 12,568 good Queensland jobs.
Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:
“Tonight’s arrival of Vietjet’s history-making maiden flight demonstrates the importance and growing closeness of Queensland’s post-pandemic trade partnership with Vietnam.
“It’s terrific to welcome Vietjet to Brisbane as the first-ever Vietnamese airline to establish a direct air connection with Queensland.
“Ho Chi Minh City is a significant aviation hub and with Vietnam’s economy booming, demand is surging for the iconic world-class holiday experiences Queensland is famous for.
“Our great holiday lifestyle, reunions with Queensland-based family and direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City are primed to make Brisbane a sought-after destination for Vietnamese travellers.
“We’re backing Vietjet with our $200 million aviation war chest for the airline’s potential to generate almost $30 million a year for the rebuild of Queensland’s international visitor economy and support for 370 good Queensland jobs.
“Non-stop flights are also predicted to fast-track growth of Queensland’s Vietnamese international student cohort, which has increased by 24 per cent this year.”
Vietjet Chief Operating Officer Michael Hickey said:
“Vietjet’s direct flights between the beautiful city of Brisbane and Ho Chi Minh City will ease the travel between the two localities, countries and across the region.
“Our crew and leaders warmly welcome our passengers on a comfortable, joyful journey with Vietjet.”
Brisbane Airport Corporation Chief Executive Officer Gert-Jan de Graaff said:
“Vietnam has been one of the world’s best success stories over the past two decades and now has a generation of people eager to explore the world.
“With direct flights to Brisbane Airport, their ticket to tour Queensland is just a single 8-hour flight away.
“The service is another win for Queensland’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund jointly funded by the Queensland Government and the state’s international airports and is designed to fast-track the recovery of Queensland’s visitor economy.”
