Cathay Pacific will return to Cairns with direct seasonal flights from Hong Kong coinciding with the peak Christmas holiday period and Chinese New Year festivities from 17 December 2024 to 29 March 2025. The flights will have 146,000 inbound seats over three years, carrying more than 76,000 international visitors who will spend an estimated $187 million.
A two-class configured Airbus A330 aircraft will operate three times a week, increasing to four times a week in the third year. The flights were secured through the State Government’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund and will enable direct exports into Hong Kong and mainland China for Tropical North Queensland producers.
A delegation from Tropical North Queensland visited Hong Kong in August 2023 to meet with Cathay Pacific and key travel trade partners to present the case for direct flights. The group, led by Tourism Minister Michael Healy, included Cairns Airport, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Department of Tourism and Innovation, Advance Cairns and Trade and Investment Queensland.
[Cathay Pacific returns to Cairns – TTNQ Fortnightly Pulse – 10 July 2024]