Bangkok to Brisbane flights announced by AirAsia X

New direct flights into Brisbane from a key tourism market are set to give the Queensland economy a $150 million boost.

QUEENSLAND tourism is set for a $150 million boost, with the announcement of new flights from Thailand into Brisbane Airport.

The State Government has used its Attracting Aviation Investment Fund to lure four weekly flights from Bangkok to Brisbane, in a coup tipped to bring an extra 25,000 visitors a year into Queensland.

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Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the new AirAsia X services, due to launch in June, would further open up key Asian tourist markets and deliver an estimated $156 million economic windfall over the next three years.

“This new route will help to open up Asia and improve connectivity for visitors from key eastern markets,” she said.

“This is a great opportunity to attract visitors from other destinations across Asia, with potential to improve access to Queensland for Indian and Chinese tourists connecting via AirAsia’s extensive international network and hub in Bangkok.

“It will also help to boost visitation from Thailand, one of Queensland’s emerging markets with great potential for growth.”

Almost 20,000 Thai tourists visited Queensland last year, splashing $44 million in the state.

Ms Jones said the Government had secured 2.4 million extra airline seats worth around $1.8 billion since coming to power four years ago.

“Continuing to increase aviation access and provide travellers with another entry point to Australia is a key strategy in the Palaszczuk Government’s plan to grow Queensland’s tourism industry,” she said.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the AirAsia X service was a welcome boost ahead of the new runway opening next year.

“Thailand is an aspirational destination for Australians and one of Brisbane Airport’s largest under-served markets, so AirAsia’s low-fare flight options direct into the heart of Bangkok are sure to be very popular with travellers,” Mr de Graaff said.

AirAsia X Group CEO Nadda Buranasiri said the new route would build on the more than two million passengers the airline had carried in and out of Queensland since first touching down on the Gold Coast in 2007.

He said it would also offer Queenslanders a low-cost opportunity to travel to popular holiday spot Thailand and other destinations.

Originally published as Bangkok to Brisbane flights announced by AirAsia X