Cairns ‘direct’ Cathay pitch
Far North delegation heads to Hong Kong to claw back flights
Cairns MP Michael Healy and a delegation from the Far North’s business community will travel to Hong Kong on a mission to claw back direct Cathay Pacific flights, and millions in economic value.
The flag carrier of Hong Kong shocked the region when it dropped its 26-year-old Cairns route in October 2019, which limited options for Chinese travellers – then the Far North’s largest tourist market, contributing $200m to the economy every year, according to figures held by Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
Cathay Pacific previously operated up to four passenger flights per week to Cairns. The route was also an umbilical cord for agricultural exports from Cairns to Asian markets.
Motivation behind the airline’s decision to axe the route was unclear. Covid-19 then delivered FNQ’s visitor economy, worth $3.5bn in 2019, a coup de grace when it grounded flights and closed borders.
The market’s recovery was strong and quick – 2.5 million domestic visitors travelled to the region in 2022 and spent $4.4bn.
But the recovery has also fallen short of its full potential.
According to Cairns Regional Council’s figures, total international passenger movements through Cairns Airport for 2023 are still hovering around half the number from 2019.
Mr Healy wants to bring that value back. He and others are set to meet Cathay Pacific executives in July to prove to them why the resumption of a Cairns to Hong Kong route is a viable long-term investment for the carrier.
If his diplomacy skills are sharp, there could be a billiondollar benefit for businesses across the region.
“We know how important this is for our tourism and agricultural industries. This is about restoring connectivity between Cairns and Asia. To build a better future for the region and our children, we need connectivity to the world’s markets,” Mr Healy said.
“We’ve got some of the best agriculture, aquaculture and tourism products in the world … we have to prove (to the airline) these world-class products have global demand, that we can fill the top and bottom of the plane.”
Mr Healy acknowledged there was a huge economic opportunity riding on the outcome of the delegation’s mission, which he was taking very seriously.
“We’ve lost hundreds of millions of dollars, (the airline’s return) will get some of that back,” he said. “I’m very pleased and proud the Premier has selected me to lead this,” he said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said the importance of the delegation’s mission was immense.
“China was our largest international visitor market by volume. The vast majority of Chinese travellers came from southern China. This is also an important way to link Cairns to the rest of Asia’s markets,” Mr Olsen said.
“This will be highly beneficial to the region’s recovery.
“It’s important they get the business case right … (the delegation) has to pitch this route as a sustainable and viable option for the carrier.”