$200m to go global

INTERNATIONAL tourists are set to be channelled directly into four major Queensland airports under a new $200m partnership that puts Cairns in the front seat.

The deal will entail Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast airports chipping in a combined $100m to be matched dollar-for-dollar by taxpayers.

Cairns Airport chief operating officer Garry Porter said it was time to start refocusing on international markets after two years of attempts to stimulate domestic travel.

However, the return of international tourism will be slow with airlines often reluctant to commit capacity without solid demand profiles.

This extra cash injection should help coax them back.

“While the recent announcement to allow tourists to visit Australia again from February 21 is positive, we know it will take some time for airlines to return capacity … ” Mr Porter said.

“Therefore knowing the government is there to support us and our airlines in sharing the risk puts us in a better position to discuss recovery.”

Cairns Airport’s first priority will be targeting Japan, Singapore and New Zealand to step up flight frequency.

An airport spokesman said other Asian markets such as South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam were next in the firing line, as well as longer-term prospects for North America and the Middle East.

Flights to Cairns from Japan, Singapore, Bali and New Zealand are expected to finally restart in the coming months.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said direct aviation to Cairns would be essential to regain the $3m a day previously injected into the region by international visitors.

“Bringing lucrative international conferences here demands access by key airlines on the most direct route possible,” he said.

“Visitors want to avoid stopovers, especially while Covid-19 is still circulating around the world.”

Cairns MP and assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said this was the largest investment of any state or territory in securing inbound international flights after Covid-19.

“I want to thank the Cairns International Airport for its commitment to matching the government’s investment, dollar for dollar.”

It is not yet known how the $100m airport input will be divided and how much Cairns will be expected to contribute compared with the likes of Brisbane Airport.