Cathay coming back to Cairns in Christmas tourism boost
FNQ Tourism
In what is sure to be a welcome Christmas time boost for Cairns and Far North Queensland tourism, award-winning airline Cathay Pacific is coming back to Cairns Airport this summer.
The return of Hong Kong’s home carrier for the second year in a row is being labelled a “major coup” and is considered a testament to the region’s revitalised relationship with the popular, full-service carrier.
Cathay Pacific will operate three direct flights per week between Hong Kong and Cairns from December 9 to February 28, centred around the peak Lunar New Year period and Christmas holidays.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said the renewed seasonal service would build on last year’s success.
“The Cathay Pacific brand is highly regarded across Tropical North Queensland and we are thrilled our strengthened partnership has led to further, ongoing opportunities that will benefit our wider community and key industries. This is a new era in our relationship with Cathay Pacific, and a major coup for our region,” he said.
“Cathay Pacific’s global network provides seamless connections to key visitor and freight markets across the Chinese Mainland, United Kingdom, Europe and India. We expect thousands of additional tourists will choose Tropical North Queensland for their festive holidays this year, and to welcome the Year of the Horse.
“This service will inject an estimated $18 million into the economy in visitor expenditure alone, and give locals more overseas leisure options as they plan their extended end-of-year leave. It will also bolster valuable direct export channels that were successfully established last year through the Cathay Pacific network.”
The service will deliver more than 20,000 seats across the season on the A330 aircraft. The Cathay Group’s passenger airlines – premium, full-service airline Cathay Pacific and low-cost carrier HK Express – continue to add more destinations to their combined global network, which will reach 100 destinations worldwide within the first half of 2025, including 22 in the Chinese Mainland.
Cathay Regional General Manager Southwest Pacific Frosti Lau said he was pleased to see the service return after a successful first season.
“Our Cairns seasonal service saw close to 16,000 customers travel between the two cities and beyond, including the UK, the Chinese Mainland and elsewhere in Asia. Bringing this service back will continue to encourage more tourism on both ends around Christmas and Lunar New Year.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said it was a vote of confidence in Queensland as a key tourism destination for Asia.
“We are seeing renewed positivity about visiting the Tropical North of our State, with all the natural, cultural and adventure tourism offerings available,” he said.
“We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to Queensland, and we’re sure they’ll be keen to return!”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen welcomed the return of Cathay Pacific to Cairns during the crucial Lunar New Year period.
“Having this direct route to the key aviation hub of Hong Kong operating during Tropical North Queensland’s shoulder season will help to boost international visitation from the Chinese Mainland and Europe during our quieter months,” he said.
“Tourism Tropical North Queensland has undertaken extensive marketing activities in China and Europe over the past two years to drive demand for direct services including the seasonal Cathay Pacific flights.”
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