Get jets and we’ll take off

FLIGHTS returning in significant numbers are the next step in the recovery of the Far North’s multibillion-dollar tourism industry.

Analysis by Herron Todd White Cairns research director Rick Carr reveals some horrifying figures.

Cairns Airport international services were down 99.6 per cent in April, 95.4 per cent on domestic routes and 95.9 per cent overall compared to February.

The airport’s own figures show just 115 international passengers in April (down from 55,026 in April, 2019) and domestic figures of 11,029 (348,316).

Yesterday, apart from regional services, there was only one flight from Brisbane by Virgin Australia. Today there is a Qantas flight from Brisbane and two from Townsville.

Tourism authorities are focused on the drive market as intrastate travel restrictions have been lifted, but flights are crucial as it takes too long to drive from the southeast to the Far North.

Flights will also be vital when Queensland finally opens the border to southerners. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday hinted in Cairns that there would be talks with airlines soon.

The airport is eagerly awaiting the airlines to finalise their new schedules. The Qantas Group, including Jetstar, is closely monitoring bookings now that travel limitations within Queensland have been lifted. It says the group will be monitoring bookings on internal routes closely and will add capacity where there is demand.

The roar of international jets is quite some time off, but soon Cairns will reverberate to the sound of more Boeings and Airbuses from southern ports.

Nick Dalton Deputy editor