Inaugural Jin Air flight soars into Tropical North Queensland

Korean airline Jin Air has flown into Tropical North Queensland for the first time, welcomed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer Curtis Pitt at Cairns Airport this morning.

The Premier said the service would provide ease of access for Korean travellers to come to Queensland, adding to the record number of visitors from the region.

The flight is the first of a direct seasonal service between Seoul and Cairns, operating two flights per week until February 2017, secured by the Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF).

“This is a fantastic outcome from my Government’s $10 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund which connects more Asian and international ports to Queensland,” the Premier said.

“This new service between Seoul and Cairns makes is easier for Korean travellers to touch down on the doorstep of the world’s greatest living wonder - the Great Barrier Reef.

“In the past year more Korean travellers have visited the state than ever with an increase of 37 per cent, and spent 74 per cent more in the past year.

“We expect this seasonal service will deliver up to $7.5 million in economic benefit for North Queensland and fly up to 5,000 extra visitors in to the region.”

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said Tropical North Queensland was a major hub for Asian tourists as international visitors to the destination continue to increase.

“Travellers from Asia are increasingly becoming more attracted to Queensland and I hope this flight will become a year-round scheduled service in the future,” Mr Pitt said.

“That would deliver around $49 million in economic impact per year and up to 41,000 across the two-year term.”

The service is delivered in a partnership between the Queensland Government, Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Cairns Airport Limited, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Jin Air.

Media contact: Susan McGrady 0488 996 667 or Kirby Anderson 0417 263 791