China Eastern announces direct flights to Cairns

China Eastern Airlines will fly direct from Shanghai to Cairns three times a week from October, injecting an estimated $35 million a year into the local Queensland economy.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls and Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey met with China Eastern executives in Shanghai today.

Mr Nicholls welcomed China Eastern’s announcement, saying the flights would bring more than 700 Chinese visitors to far north Queensland each week.

“The number of Chinese visitors to Queensland increased by 16 per cent in the 12 months to March this year, injecting $403 million into the Queensland economy,” he said.

“Tourism is one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy and aviation access is vital to helping us achieve our target of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020.”

Ms Stuckey said the deal was a product of the Newman Government’s $8 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.

Ms Stuckey today signed a cooperative letter of intent with Mr Dong Bo, chief marketing officer of China Eastern Airlines.

“Today’s announcement is great news not only for our north Queensland tourism operators, who did it tough after Cyclone Yasi, but also for the whole state,” she said.

“These flights will reduce the time Chinese tourists have to spend in transit, enabling them to spend more time and money visiting the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef.

“China Eastern is one of China’s largest and most valued airlines, and we welcome them to Queensland with open arms.”

Mr Dong Bo said the new route from Shanghai to Cairns offered Mainland Chinese new access to Australia.

“Cairns, as a major city in North Queensland, serves as a gateway to numerous tourist sites throughout the country,” he said.

“In ten short hours up to 262 travellers will arrive in Australia on the PGV-CNS flight after travelling on the comfortable Airbus 330-200 from Shanghai.

“Arriving at the third most popular direct destination hotspot in Australia, the new flights will contribute to the development of the local tourism industry and strengthen economic and cultural communications between China and Queensland.”

Cairns Airport chief executive officer Kevin Brown said he was very much looking forward to working with China Eastern.

“After several years of successfully operating Chinese New Year charter flights to Cairns from Shanghai, it’s very exciting that China Eastern is now introducing a scheduled service,” he said.

“It will help strengthen Cairns’ position as the Asian gateway to Australia.”

[ENDS] 20 July 2012

Media Contact:

Larine Statham, Treasurer’s office, Brisbane: +61 7 3224 2611

Violet Tian, Tourism Queensland, Shanghai: + 86 21 5292 8829

Yuanyuan, China Eastern, Shanghai: +86 21 22330253