Flight deal to help steal Kiwi tourists

A FAR Northern business leader believes proposed new direct flights to Cairns from Auckland would give the region a reason to steal more Kiwi visitors from the Gold Coast.

The Queensland Government has agreed to fund a deal for extra Air New Zealand flights between the two destinations by providing a financial incentive.

New Zealanders are the second biggest source of tourists for the Gold Coast, about 200,000 a year, behind the Chinese, who number about 300,000.

Advance Cairns chief executive Nick Trompf said it was a “great opportunity”, with the New Zealand market a success story for the Gold Coast.

“I have been a bit perplexed that a city like Cairns draws such a small number of Kiwis,” he said.

Mr Trompf said the region’s share of about 40,000 was relatively small when more than 400,000 New Zealanders visited Queensland each year.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the aim was more than 10,000 seats a year and three flights a week between November and March.

He said it would be worth more than $10 million a year to the economy and provide about 80 jobs.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas said the deal was “fantastic” news. He said more direct international flights would take the pressure off the domestic network.

Cairns Airport aviation chief commercial officer Paul McLean said he welcomed the government’s commitment to aviation growth to Cairns.

He said the airport was in discussions with “many airlines on a very regular basis”.