Trad tours Hong Kong cargo facilities for Darling Downs freight

Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Jackie Trad has toured a Cathay Pacific freight handling facility in Hong Kong where the first weekly consignment of Queensland produce has arrived from Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba.

The cargo, which includes meat and mangos, was part of southern Queensland’s only scheduled international air freight service.

“Regular weekly flights from Toowoomba to Hong Kong are a fantastic opportunity for Queensland primary producers and exporters to access the Asian market, which is fast catching on to the world class products we are able to supply,” Ms Trad said.

“This new service guarantees fresh Queensland produce can be exported directly to Hong Kong and on the dinner table within 24 hours.

“It will also be distributed throughout the key markets in China – a market of more than 1.3 billion consumers.

“This provides significant opportunities for our regional farmers and businesses and will deliver more jobs and an economic boost for our state.”

Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport developer Mr John Wagner said the start of the freight service heralded a new opportunity for local exporters.

“The airport is well positioned to become an Australian air cargo hub,” Mr Wagner said. 

“With intense competition for landing slots times within Australia’s major airports, we have the scope and capacity to support growth in trade between Australia and Asia.

“The opportunities this creates for Queensland exporters to access the world’s biggest consumer markets are unlimited.”

The air freight cargo flight comes exactly 12 months after Cathay Pacific ran a ‘trial’ service from Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport to Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific deployed its newest and biggest freighter, the Boeing 747-8F, on the route to offer more cargo space to carry the anticipated high volumes of fresh produce as well as machinery needed to support mining projects and other manufacturing activities in the region.

The regular scheduled service initially departs from Sydney, then lands in Melbourne with a final stop in Toowoomba before going to on to Hong Kong.

China is Queensland’s largest trading partner and in 2015-16 the export market to China was valued at over $11 billion. The export market to Hong Kong was valued at $387 million.

ENDS

Media contact: Anna Jabour 0429 890 942