Push to get new flights to China

DIRECT flights between Cairns and a major Chinese city could be taking off within 12 months.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Alex de Waal said he expected to know within two weeks whether a submission for $3.25m from the State Government’s $33.5 million Connecting to Asia investment fund was successful.

The cash would match an amount raised by Far North businesses to secure continual direct flights three times a week from either Chengdu, Shanghai or Guangzhou.

“We’ve been working on targeting China in particular in terms of a new market segment Australia hasn’t been appealing to for the past two years,” Mr de Waal said.

“We’ve validated the fact this is a real market opportunity for Australia and the fund appears to be a great initiative.”

Mr de Waal said once funding was approved, negotiations with Chinese airlines could begin.

“Within seven to 12 months we hope to have direct connective flights between a Chinese city and Cairns,” he said.

“It will be the catalyst for a significant new type of travel to Australia.”

Advance Cairns chief executive Kevin Byrne said direct flights would allow Chinese travel agents to “plan with some degree of certainty around getting their clients in and out of Cairns”.

“At the moment we rely on seasonal direct flights. At the end of the day it is the market economy that will determine who flies where.”

Tourism and major events minister Kate Jones said she was aware Tourism Tropical North Queensland was working hard to secure more flights to Cairns.

“We are keen to back any real proposal that delivers on our commitment to grow tourism and is supported by funding partners and airlines,” she said.