Luring back Asian airline

Delegation in talks with Cathay Pacific

l AEROGLEN

| Nick Dalton

A TOP-level trade delegation in Hong Kong this week is trying to convince Cathay Pacific to resume passenger and freight services to Cairns.

The carrier axed flights to Cairns in October 2019 after 25 years in a shock move which cut $100 million in fresh seafood and produce exports each year and $200m in visitor spending.

Led by assistant minister for tourism industry development and Member for Cairns Michael Healy and Cairns Airport boss Richard Barker, together with other key regional business leaders, the delegation aims to meet stakeholders in Hong Kong, including Cathay Pacific.

Mr Healy said the aim was to build relationships with a view to restoring wide-body direct flights between Cairns and Hong Kong, reopening important North Asia markets for Far North Queensland’s premium agricultural and seafood produce.

“We are all very aware of the challenges still impacting the aviation sector as a result of COVID-19, however, we know this delegation is an important part of a longer-term strategy by business leaders in the region to demonstrate the quality and volume of our produce from Far North Queensland,” he said.

“We know there is demand for our produce and we want to demonstrate to Cathay Pacific our commitment in terms of freight volumes.

“The return of direct services would bring millions of dollars in economic benefit to the region.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said there was a significant opportunity for growth in the markets from southern China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“There is a significant gap with these markets currently contributing just five per cent of Tropical North Queensland’s visitors as momentum grows with our region’s international recovery,” he said.

“In 2019 visitors from southern China, Hong Kong and Taiwan accounted for one in five international visitor nights injecting more than $200 million a year into our regional economy.”

The delegation also includes Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan, who moved to the region late last year from Hong Kong, Cairns Regional Trade Distribution Centre managing director Barbara Ford and Mr Olsen.

Ms Reddan said “our geographic proximity to key markets in North Asia gives us a distinct advantage, with the long-term potential to make our fresh premium food and seafood products available to the fastgrowing Asia consumer market”.

“These meetings are an important part of our broader engagement strategy, and I am delighted I can contribute to this dialogue, drawing on my years spent in the region,” she said.