Cairns industry leaders believe recent seasonal flights from Korea have created opportunity for future connections with new carriers.
It comes as international connectivity to the region soars ahead of the busy festive season, with the return of Cathay Pacific’s direct Hong Kong services, release of a renewed Singapore Airline schedule with more flights to Cairns and the upcoming injection of thousands of additional seats with key carrier Air Niugini.
Cairns welcomed 2800 Amway Korea delegates on 20 charter flights from November 17 to December 7, bringing a $13 million boost to the region’s economy. Custom itineraries were developed to ensure delegates experienced the region’s key attractions, with time to relax, dine and explore.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said the services, operated by Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, opened the door to further partnerships.
“We have created important connections with executives and decision makers in Korea and demonstrated Cairns Airport’s capability to succinctly manage operations for these large, global carriers,” he said.
“Showcasing our region to thousands of Korean travellers - who enjoyed a seamless, direct flight – also invigorates demand in the market and fosters invaluable word-of-mouth promotion when those visitors return home.
“Our team continues to have positive discussions with airlines in Korea and we are excited to see what the future holds.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said Cairns put on a spectacular series of events and touring across 22 days for the Amway Korea Leadership Seminar, proving the destination’s business events capabilities and demonstrating that charter flights were a viable option for international delegates.
“The 2800 Amway Korea delegates brought a welcome boost to tourism during the shoulder season with tour operators, restaurants and retailers enjoying the increased demand for their business,” he said.
“We look forward to the start of the school holidays and the Chinese New Year season to continue the momentum into 2026.”
Cathay Pacific returned to Cairns Airport today for its second annual seasonal service in a row.
Hong Kong’s home carrier will operate three direct flights per week between Hong Kong and Cairns from December 9 to February 28, centred around the peak Lunar New Year period and Christmas holidays. Delivering more than 20,000 seats across the season on the A330 aircraft, the service will inject an estimated $18 million into the economy in visitor expenditure alone.
Air Niugini will soon begin operating its new A220 aircraft to Cairns, replacing the Fokker 70. The new fleet will add close to 65,000 additional seats on the Cairns route per year.
More than 120,000 passengers are expected to travel through Cairns Airport’s international terminal during December and January, along with more than 675,000 domestically.
“We are also looking forward to welcoming an additional Singapore Airlines widebody A350 service during the mid-year peak in 2026. This will inject thousands of seats into the local market during our in-demand tourist period and offer more travel choices for both international visitors and locals, moving from four to five services per week,” Mr Barker said.
“Travellers will enjoy even more flexibility when daily Singapore Airlines flights commence from December 1 next year. This increased frequency, moving from four services per week to seven on a 737-8 aircraft, will improve connectivity to Tropical North Queensland ahead of the busy end-of-year holiday season, offering significant benefits for both customers and industry. Daily services cater to a broader visitor group, ideal for the growing India and South-East Asia markets.
“It is an exciting time for Cairns Airport. On behalf of the team, I wish to thank our community, customers and partners for your ongoing support. Enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday break.”
Cairns Airport was named Major Airport of the Year for the third year in a row at last week’s Australian Airports Association (AAA) National Airport Industry Awards, held at the Gold Coast.
Cairns was the fastest growing international passenger market in Australia in 2024, with international passenger numbers reaching approximately 760,000 last financial year, a number not seen for almost 20 years.