Gold Coast to South Korea flights get the airport dancing and popping

A new route out of the Gold Coast had the airport dancing this morning as the first flight took off.

K-POP dance group P4Pero performed as part of celebrations to mark the inaugural direct flight to Seoul from Gold Coast. Picture: Luke Marsden

THE first direct flight from the Gold Coast to Korea is expected to is expected to pump an extra $58 million and 52,260 more inbound tourists into the economy.

The first Jetstar flight left for the South Korean Capital Seoul and made Jetstar the first domestic carrier in Australia to open up flights directly to the city.

The new airline route secured earlier this year which off from the Gold Coast Airport this morning was farewelled with a celebration that included K-pop dancer, Korean themed food and a water cannon salute.

The Jetstar Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was fully booked for its inaugural flight.

The route, which will leave from the Gold Coast three times a week is already proving popular with 80 per cent of seats already sold for December.

Jetstar Flight JQ49 – the inaugural direct flight to Seoul – gets the traditional water-cannon salute at Gold Coast Airport. Picture: Luke Marsden

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the new route was the culmination of 18 months of negotiations between the state government, Jetstar and Korean carrier Jeju.

“New flights mean more tourism jobs on the Gold Coast – that’s what today is all about,” she said.

“We boosted funding for direct flights to partner with airlines to grow the tourism industry on the Gold Coast. This new route is proof that strategy is working.

“Over the next three years, this service will create nearly 2000 new tourism jobs, bring an extra 156,000 inbound airline seats to the Gold Coast and generate more than $176 million for the local economy.”

Ms Jones said the Korean tourism market had grown steadily in recent years – from 63,000 visitors in the year to June 2016 to 76,000 visitors in the year to June 2019, contributing more than $226 million to Queensland’s economy.

Visitor nights from younger Korean tourists to Queensland have increased 12.5 per cent in the 12 months to June 2019.

Jetstar CEO Gareth Evans, Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones and Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills, flanked by Jetstar crew and members of P4Pero K-POP Dance group, prepare to cut the celebratory cake to mark the start of the first direct flights between the Gold Coast and Seoul. Picture: Luke Marsden

Jetstar Group CEO Gareth Evans said the low-fares, currently at $309 one way will open South Korea And the Gold Coast up to more travellers.

Given the tourist attractions and education opportunities one the Gold Coast Mr Evans said the city was a “natural entry point” for tourists.

“The Gold Coast has everything Australia is famous for; sun surf great food shopping and amazing outdoor and adventurous experiences.”

The current nationality split for ticket holders sits at 70 per cent Korean and 30 per cent Australian.

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Queensland Airports Limited Chief Executive Officer Chris Mills said the new service came during a period of significant investment at Gold Coast Airport, with the southern terminal expansion and airport hotel developments well underway.

“With passenger numbers set to more than double by 2037, we are investing more than $500 million into the airport precinct to ensure we meet demand,” he said.

“This investment includes construction of the southern terminal expansion which will double the floorspace of the existing terminal and includes four aerobridges. With the hotel opening in 2020 and the terminal expansion in 2021, future travellers will benefit from this investment.”

Jetstar Flight JQ49 takes off from Gold Coast Airport in the first direct route to Seoul by any low cost carrier from Australia. Picture: Luke Marsden

“South Koreans travel more per capita than any other country in the Asia Pacific and rank Australia at the top country they want to visit.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said the Gold Coast appealed to high-spending Korean travellers seeking authentic Australian travel experiences.

“Interest in the Gold Coast from Korea has been steadily growing in recent years,” Ms Battista said.

“This trend is likely to continue as connectivity direct to our doorstep is unlocked.

“Koreans love what the Gold Coast has to offer.

The service is supported by the Palaszczuk Government through the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund and is in partnership with Queensland Airports Limited and Destination Gold Coast.