Where FNQ passengers can travel to when international flights restart in Cairns

Cairns Airport’s boss has revealed where Far Northerners will be able to fly to when international borders reopen — and when hotly-anticipated Singapore flights will take off.

FASTEN your seatbelts as the Cairns Airport boss said he expected services international destinations to take off after borders reopen with efforts to line up direct flights to Singapore within months.

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker said the first markets to open up to Cairns passengers would include Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Singapore

“From March 27, Jetstar would be offering flights to Japan and Bali,” he said.

“Initially we expect three flights a week to Osaka and Tokyo and three also to Bali, with aircraft capacity still to be determined, it will depend on demand.

“We are still working out other destinations such as Singapore and when we will be able to offer direct flights there.”

Singapore Airlines is being targeted for direct flights from Cairns to Singapore. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Mr Barker said he hoped that Singapore Airlines branded aircraft and Air New Zealand would be flying in and out of Cairns by mid-year.

It’s an important step as Singapore’s Changi Airport is a key flight hub as it allows passengers to be connected to 400 cities in 70 countries around the world.

“We expect friends and family reuniting, students and casual workers to be the first to travel into Cairns.” he said.

QLD_CP_NEWS_INSIGHT_14JUN21

Meanwhile, Europe is top of the pops when it comes to Cairns residents making their long-delayed holiday plans.

In Edge Hill, Egan & Turner Travel Associates owner Paul Egan, said locals were keen to finally be able to jet out of the country for a holiday.

“People are super excited,” he said.

“While mostly we are seeing people booking to visit family and relatives all over the world, particularly Europe and the UK, for holidays, river cruises are extremely popular.

Egan & Turner Travel Associates owner Paul Egan, said Cairns and FNQ locals are very excited about finally being able to jet out of the country for a holiday.

“Many river cruise companies at the beginning of Covid offered either full refunds or a credit with added bonuses and people are keen to use these.”

Mr Egan said he’s already had “lots of calls” from people interested in a vacation afloat.

“Americans and Europeans are all travelling so cruising is fast booking out,” he said.

“Most companies are waiving cancellation rules but make sure when booking to be aware of the flexibility terms of what product they are booking, there’s so many rules and conditions changes, you're crazy not to use a travel agent.”

Originally published as Where FNQ passengers can travel to when international flights restart in Cairns