NEW JETSTAR JAPAN SERVICE A WINNER

The launch of Jetstar’s new Brisbane-Osaka services will offer more cost-effective options for Japanese travellers coming to Queensland, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today.

Mrs Keech said the first Jetstar international flight from Osaka to Brisbane touched down this morning at BrisbaneInternationalAirport.

“Almost 400,000 Japanese visitors came to Queensland last year, continuing to make it one of our key international markets,” Mrs Keech said.

“The majority of these visitors flew directly into Queensland, so it is vital that a constant airline service is offered between Japan and our State.

“In addition, Jetstar will be launching services between Cairns and both Osaka and Nagoya later this year, which will be tremendous additions to the services on offer to the Japanese market.”

Mrs Keech said the Beattie Government fully supported Jetstar’s new routes, with their potential to increase visitation and expenditure from Japan.

“The new Jetstar services will make travelling to Brisbane and Cairns more cost effective and more convenient for Japanese visitors, which in turn allows them to spend more while they’re here in Queensland,” she said.

“Tourism Queensland has been working with Jetstar, the Department of State Development, Gold Coast Tourism and Tourism Tropical North Queensland to actively market the new Jetstar international brand in Japan.

“We have seen today the arrival of the first daily Osaka-Brisbane-Sydney service, which provides more than 1,000 inbound seats per week.

“Additionally, a Cairns and Nagoya service will begin in August, running six times a week and providing more than 1,500 inbound seats per week.

“And from September, Jetstar will also operate services between Osaka and Cairns four times a week.

“The Beattie Government congratulates Jetstar on its commitment to providing such comprehensive services to our State.”

Media contacts: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007 / 0421 611 989 or Louise Yates (Tourism Queensland) 3535 5349 / 0419 713 176.