REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Friday, June 10, 2011

THE Gold Coast was to form the centrepiece of China Southern Airlines’ expansion in Australia with the airline promising to have direct flights between Guangzhou and Coolangatta by 2015 and launching flights from Beijing to Brisbane in 2011.

It was to be the Gold Coast’s first direct aviation link with China, whose booming economy was expected to make it the second biggest source of international visitors to the Coast.

It was also understood another airline, China Eastern, was giving serious consideration to launching a Gold Coast base.

China Southern’s confidence in the Gold Coast came after internal tourism figures estimated up to 98 per cent of tourists who use the current Guangzhou-Brisbane route visit the tourist strip.

China Southern Airlines executive vice-president

He Zong Kai said he had lengthy talks with Gold Coast airport bosses and believed there would be direct flights before 2015.

‘‘We will operate flights from Guangzhou to the Gold Coast,’’ he said. ‘‘I think the Gold Coast is a destination all Chinese people want to visit. It is a new destination. We want our strategy rolled out by 2015.’’

Mr He also confirmed there would be aBeij in g-Guangzhou Brisbane route operational before the end of the year to immediately capitalise on the high Chinese interest in the Coast.

* The Gold Coast ultimately did receive direct flights to China, all of which were suspended before or as a result of Covid-19.