Brisbane lands direct flights from San Francisco

The world’s second largest carrier, United Airlines will fly direct from San Francisco to Brisbane International Airport three times a week from October as one of the most significant aviation deals to land in Queensland.

Secured through the Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund in partnership with Brisbane Airport Corporation, United Airlines’ Boeing 787 Dreamliners will deliver an extra 40,000 international seats a year into Brisbane.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the United Airlines deal would support 385 local jobs and inject $73 million into the economy.

“Rebuilding Queensland’s tourism industry is a priority for our government,” the Premier said.

“We’re aggressively pursuing new direct flights to our key tourism destinations to drive visitation and support local jobs. That’s what our Attracting Aviation Investment Fund is designed to do.”

The Premier said the deal with United Airlines was a great coup for Queensland.

“United has never flown to Queensland. The airline has more than 100 million loyalty members and is the largest and longest-serving US carrier in the Australian market,” the Premier said.

“This airline route is also of strategic importance for Queensland when it comes to growing our share of the international tourism market.

“San Francisco is a major hub for United with direct connectivity to 80 North American cities.

“By securing these flights, Queensland becomes an easy choice for thousands of visitors throughout the US.”

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said United Airlines would start year-round services from late October.

“Direct flights from San Francisco demonstrate the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to rebuilding Queensland’s $6 billion inbound international tourism industry,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“United Airlines is the bright light at the end of the runway for Queensland’s Covid-19 recovery.

“We know international holidaymakers spend two and half times more than their domestic counterparts and on average stay eleven days in Queensland.

“Over recent months, the Palaszczuk Government has been advertising in the United States to remind travellers about Queensland’s world-class destinations.

“There is plenty of pent-up international demand for iconic Queensland getaways and United Airlines’ seat capacity into Brisbane from October is terrific news for tourism operators.

“Before the pandemic, the US was Queensland’s third largest tourism customer, landing 236,000 visitors a year and generating up to $419 million.

“Attracting direct international flights is a very competitive business.   

“Our $200 million partnership with Queensland’s four international airports and the tourism industry is Australia’s biggest aviation attraction fund and it’s paying dividends.”

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the deal with United is a gamechanger for Queensland.

“Brisbane Airport is the gateway to Queensland, with more than 75% of international arrivals travelling through our terminals,” he said.

“This is good news for tourism and hospitality businesses from Coolangatta to the Cape, as each international flight arriving in Brisbane generates up to $1 million in economic activity.

“Securing the world’s second largest airline with direct flights to and from Brisbane is welcome news for jobs and the economy, and for Queenslanders connecting to the world.

“Queensland exporters will also welcome the significant additional cargo capacity that comes with increasing the number of international flights to our state.”

Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances at United said “with this new service, United will be the first U.S. airline to add a new transpacific destination to its global network since the start of the pandemic.

“From Brisbane, United customers will be able to easily connect to nearly 20 other cities within Australia thanks to the airline’s new codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia,” Mr Quayle said.

“United was the only carrier to maintain service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve looked for strategic ways to grow our international network, and we’re proud to be the first U.S. airline to put a new dot on our route map across the Pacific to show our sustained commitment to the region as it recovers.

“With United’s strong history in Australia – and now with a great partner in Virgin Australia – it’s the ideal time for United to expand service to Brisbane as demand for travel continues to grow.”

ENDS

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447