More China air access opens up

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  China Eastern Airlines returns to Queensland with direct flights to Brisbane International Airport from Shanghai.
• Predicted to generate $314 million over three years and support for 1,270 good Queensland jobs.
• China Eastern is the 26th direct international service secured by the $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF).

China Eastern Airlines has announced it will return to Queensland with three flights-a-week from Shanghai to Brisbane commencing from 29 October 2023. There will be a seasonal increase to daily flights from 8 December to early 2024. The return of the flight is supported by the Queensland Government's Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) and will bring more than 40,000 seats into Brisbane in the first year.

In addition, it was also announced this week China Southern Airlines' direct service between Guangzhou and Brisbane will increase to daily flights from December to February for China's peak travel season. The service commences from mid-November, operating four times per week, with the boost to capacity set to cover the busy Chinese New Year travel period.

China’s biggest city, Shanghai is about to be reconnected directly to Brisbane with China Eastern Airlines returning to Queensland from 29 October.

Initially, China Eastern will fly non-stop to Brisbane Airport three times a week, growing to five services per week within three years.

The airline has also committed to daily seasonal flights from 8 December until early 2024.

China Eastern Airlines will land almost 41,000 seats in Brisbane onboard an A330-200 aircraft during the first year of operation.

The flights are tipped to generate around $314 million for Queensland’s visitor economy over three years and support 1,270 Queensland jobs.

China Eastern direct from China’s largest city is the 26th international connection secured by the Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF).

The AAIF is a nation leading partnership between the Palaszczuk Government and Queensland’s four international airports.

Combined, the 26 connections are predicted to deliver 1.97 million inbound international seats, up to $1.6 billion in overnight visitor spending each year and up to 19,836 good Queensland jobs.

Before the pandemic, China was Queensland’s biggest source of international visitors with 500,000 travellers generating $1.6 billion a year.

More than 21,500 international students were enrolled to study in Queensland during 2022.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said: “This is more terrific news for the international recovery of Queensland’s world-class tourism industry.

“We know Chinese travellers are eager to return and rediscover Queensland’s great lifestyle and iconic visitor experiences from the Torres Strait and the Reef to our amazing beaches and the Outback.

“The message potential visitors are hearing in China from Tourism and Events Queensland’s (TEQ) tourism marketing is Queensland is Good to Go.

“We’re seeing that reflected in strong Queensland holiday bookings from Guangzhou and now new tourism opportunities for visitors to fly direct from China’s biggest city, Shanghai.

“Rekindling Chinese travellers’ love of Queensland’s iconic tourism experiences is critical to TEQ’s industry Blueprint for building an $11 billion international visitor economy by the 2032 Games.”

China Eastern Airlines Oceania General Manager Jim Young said: “China Eastern Airlines, a member of Skyteam, is thrilled to return to Brisbane from 29th October 2023.

“We, the Queensland Government, and Brisbane Airport align with a shared value and vision in our commitment to reintroducing this route in 2023.

Our non-stop flight to and from Brisbane will further substantiate Shanghai as an exceptional hub for both business and leisure travellers to destinations cross China and beyond on a global scale."

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said: “This is another sign Queensland’s Chinese tourism market is set to roar back to life.

We are delighted to welcome Shanghai back to the BNE destination map.

Shanghai is China’s largest city and a commercial hub, making it a key city for business and leisure travel.

“With two carriers now set to resume services from mainland China, we’re forecasting China will likely regain its spot as Queensland’s number one source for inbound tourists in 2024.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said: “Expanding international flight routes is critical in attracting guests to Queensland and putting our state on the radar of would-be travellers.

“Re-establishing and strengthening the connection between China and Queensland is vital to our long-term tourism success.

“It’s fantastic to welcome back more international guests to Queensland.”

* Tourism and Events Queensland