China Eastern Airlines connects Queensland direct to Shanghai

Published Saturday, 17 December, 2016 at 11:00 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism and Major Events
The Honourable Kate Jones

China Eastern Airlines’ inaugural flight from Shanghai to Brisbane has touched down in Queensland, with the new service expected to deliver up to approximately 110,000 additional seats into Brisbane over three years.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones welcomed the new flight, which was the first of a new year-round service that will operate four direct flights every week between Brisbane and Shanghai.

Ms Palaszczuk, who met with senior representatives of China Eastern Airlines during her trade mission in April, said the new service would provide non-stop access between Queensland and the State’s largest international tourism market, China.

“It’s exciting to welcome this new service to Queensland, giving Chinese travellers even more opportunity to experience the unique wonders of our incredible state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We know that every dollar we generate through tourism supports Queensland jobs.”

“We have witnessed remarkable growth out of the China market recently with 485,000 Chinese travellers visiting Queensland in the past year, a 34 per cent increase.

“This market presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and by securing these additional flights we are helping meet the demand for Chinese tourists to visit Queensland.”

“This new service is the result of the Queensland Government’s bilateral partnership with China Eastern Airlines.”

Ms Jones said the new service is supported by the Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) along with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), Tourism Australia, Brisbane Airport Corporation and Brisbane Marketing.

“Working with airline partners to increase aviation access into Queensland is a priority and we will continue to inspire more people to witness our amazing experiences,” Ms Jones said.

“This is a fantastic outcome of the work we have undertaken with our partners and I thank China Eastern Airlines for delivering this service into Queensland.”

Ms Jones said the new service would deliver strong benefits for Queensland’s tourism economy. 

“Chinese travellers spend more than $1 billion each year, with these flights adding a potential $22.6 million in each year of full service,” she said.

“This drives economic growth throughout the state and supports thousands of Queensland tourism jobs.”

Queensland was the first Australian state to partner with China Eastern Airlines signing an agreement in November 2015.

More than 500,000 extra seats have been secured through the Palaszczuk Government’s AAIF, including

  • Hong Kong Airlines - Hong Kong-Gold Coast-Cairns scheduled or charter service
  • Qantas - Christchurch to Brisbane
  • China Eastern - Shanghai to Brisbane
  • Singapore Airlines - Singapore to Brisbane
  • EVA Air - Taipei to Brisbane
  • AirAsia X - Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast
  • Air Canada - Vancouver to Brisbane
  • Jin Air - Seoul to Cairns, which the Premier welcomed on Thursday.

 Media contact:

  • Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791
  • Matt Jutsum (Minister Jones’ office) 0408 998 940