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- The Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) has secured more than 1.1 million inbound international seats and up to $960 million in overnight visitor spending
- Since launching a year ago, the $200 million aviation war chest has landed 15 new or restarted international services, supporting 8,945 Queensland jobs
From 23 April, Korean Air will restart direct flights to Brisbane five times a week, delivering up to $120.5 million annually in overnight visitor spending and up to 1,230 good Queensland jobs.
Announced by Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe at one-year anniversary celebrations for Queensland’s $200 million AAIF, Korean Air will land an extra 89,000 inbound seats a year in Brisbane.
Korean Air direct from Seoul-Incheon Airport is the fifteenth international service backed by Queensland’s aviation war chest which in 12 months has secured up to $960 million for the State’s visitor economy and 1.106 million direct inbound seats, supporting 8,945 Queensland jobs.
Other recently secured services by the Palaszczuk Government’s nation-leading partnership with Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns international airports include:
- EVA Air – restarting four flights per week in the first year from Taipei to Brisbane, expanding to five in the second year, and six weekly services by the third year
- Philippines Air – growing to five flights per week over two years from Manilla to Brisbane
Over the festive season, Queensland recorded a domestic holiday bonanza of more than $4 billion with 2.5 million visitors staying 20 million visitor nights.
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) has launched a new $5 million Queensland is Calling campaign in New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand.
TEQ and its overseas travel and airline partners are running Queensland campaigns around the world including recently re-opened markets in Hong Kong and China, and next week launches a significant new partnership with global heavyweight Expedia.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe
“Aviation is absolutely critical to Queensland’s international tourism recovery and it’s highly competitive.
“That’s why we’ve partnered with Queensland’s four international airports on a $200 million post-Covid aviation war chest.
“We’re getting results, but securing international flights is one part of a much bigger picture including Tourism and Events Queensland’s ongoing promotion of Queensland destinations overseas.
“Off the back of Queensland’s $4 billion domestic tourism bonanza over Christmas, we’re seeing encouraging green shoots of recovery in overseas visitor numbers.
“We know there’s more work to do on rebuilding airline capacity and Queensland’s $6 billion international tourism industry.”
Brisbane Airport Corporation Executive General Manager of Aviation Ryan Both
“During December and January, international travel at BNE was back to 61 per cent of pre-Covid levels, so we still have a way to go to rebuild our network. But compared with one year ago when we were at just 2 per cent capacity, we have come a long way.
“There remains a shortage of aircraft and flight crew so every time a jet becomes available, we are competing with cities across the globe for that new service. This fund helps give Queensland the edge at a time when every flight means more local jobs and more Queensland exports.”
Queensland Airports Limited Chief Commercial Officer Adam Rowe
“Through the support of this initiative, Queensland Airports Limited has been able to secure half a million additional seats on international services through Gold Coast Airport.
“This has helped restore important overseas connections into Queensland from destinations such as Singapore, Japan, Kuala Lumpur and New Zealand.
“There is a lot to look forward to this year, and with the continuing support of AAIF, we are welcoming back AirAsia X’s Kuala Lumpur service to the Gold Coast which will deliver an important link from Malaysia into Queensland.”
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker
“We have seen the significant benefits of the AAIF here in Cairns with the commencement of Virgin Australia’s year-round, daily direct flights from Tokyo Haneda, in partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA), along with the restoration of flights to Singapore and New Zealand.
“Data shows us that more Japanese tourists are likely to visit Cairns when a full-service carrier offers direct flights to Tokyo. We have not had these services in Cairns for more than 10 years, and we expect that the commencement of these flights will lead to a major increase of Japanese tourists in the region, particularly given Virgin Australia’s powerful affiliation with ANA, a trusted global carrier.
“International passenger figures remain at approximately 45 per cent of pre-Covid, with 6,800 passengers per week passing through the international terminal. With international airline capacity from key markets to Cairns slow to return, we are cautiously optimistic we may reach 60 per cent by the peak winter season.
“We are grateful for the support Cairns Airport has received from the AAIF so far and we look forward to working with the Queensland Government on further opportunities with our airline partners in this space.”
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Andrew Brodie
“It is critical for the future growth of the Sunshine Coast and wider region to have direct international connections into Sunshine Coast Airport.
“International connections will have far reaching benefits for the region and we look forward to working with Government to identify opportunities that will bring international visitors directly into the Sunshine Coast and support the airport’s role as the third gateway airport for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan
“Traditionally, international visitors stay longer and spend more and that’s why it is so important for us to rebuild the international market.
“We’ve been working hard since international borders re-opened to reconnect with the international trade distribution system as well as keep Queensland top of the list in a very competitive environment.
“TEQ has rapidly returned to a significant international marketing schedule working with airlines, trade partners and Tourism Australia to bring international visitors back to Queensland.
“Supported by the AAIF program, there is partnership right across Government and the industry to see these valuable markets return.”
QTIC CEO Brett Fraser
“Re-establishing and attracting new direct international airline routes is fundamental to the revival of Queensland’s tourism industry.
“For the last two years, Queensland’s visitor economy has been kept afloat by a thriving domestic tourism market, but our continued success now relies on the return of international guests.
“The $200 million aviation war chest will help secure millions more airline seats each year and will generate almost $4 billion in overnight visitor expenditure. Numbers as big as these will have a huge impact on our Queensland tourism operators.”
