Cathay Pacific makes ‘bold’ return to bring $20m Far North boost

After a five year absence Cathay Pacific will offer a new seasonal service connecting Hong Kong and Cairns that’s expected to inject $20m into the Far North and deliver homegrown produce into Asia.

A Cathay Pacific jet plane from Hong Kong comes in to land at the Cairns International Airport before the carrier’s exit in 2019. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

After a five year absence Cathay Pacific will offer a new seasonal service connecting Hong Kong and Cairns that’s expected to inject $20m into the Far North and deliver homegrown produce into Asia.

In a massive blow to Cairns, Cathay Pacific severed ties after a 26-year history of touching down in the Far North in 2019 due to the service not being financially viable.

Announced on Thursday, the carrier will return to Far Northern skies between December 17 2024 and March 29 2025 to cover the peak Christmas holiday period and Chinese New Year festivities.

The first Cathay Pacific flight arrived at Cairns Airport in 1993. Picture: Cairns Airport

The airline will operate services on a two-class configured Airbus A330.

The return of the much-loved airline follows a high-level delegation to Hong Kong last last year which Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker said was “fundamental” in convincing the five-star carrier to reinstate Cairns flights.

“We had freight producers, we had representatives of the federal government, the state government, all the peak bodies from this area and we showed that as a region we’re committed to making them successful and they really valued that,” he said.

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker with Cathay Pacific regional manager of the southwest Pacific region Frosti Lau and Tourism Minister Michael Healy at the announcement of the airlines return to Cairns. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Cairns is the third city to attract season Cathay flights after Christchurch and Barcelona which has been made possible, in part, by the $200m Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.

However due to commercial sensivity Mr Barker could not reveal exactly how much of the aviation war chest was used to entice Cathay back.

The 15 week season is expected to land up to $13,000 international visitors to Cairns who would spend an estimated $20m at Far North attractions, hotels and restaurants.

In 2019 the Far North export industry worth more than $100m was brought to its knees by the airline’s sudden exit, but now meat, sea food, fruit, and vegetable producers can celebrate the return of a direct link for exports into Hong Kong and mainland China.

Tourism Minister Michael Healy announces the return of a seasonal return of Cathay Pacific to Cairns. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Cairns as a leisure destination was considered “high-risk” by airlines but high-value freight exports were key to mitigating against that risk.

“It’s so vitally important because we’re not a one trick pony destination, it’s not just tourism,” he said.

“I am so proud to be part of the team who brought Cathay Pacific back.”

Cathay Pacific regional manager of the southwest Pacific region, Frosti Lau, said the service will offer direct access to Hong Kong and provide seamless connections to the rest of the world, including London, the Chinese Mainland, India and the US.

Cathay Pacific regional manager of the southwest Pacific region Frosti Lau at the announcement of the airlines return to Cairns. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“Not only is this an important route for customers travelling in and out of Tropical North Queensland, but it is also an incredibly valuable port for cargo and the trade economy,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be bringing our services back.”

Strong airline competition in 2019 leading to reduced passenger numbers was the primary reason for Cathy services not being financially viable, but in 2024 Mr Barker said the post-pandemic international airline landscape had shifted significantly.

“It’s really bold decision of Cathay to invest to come back early, and that gives them the chance to re-establish themselves and get a good foothold,” he said.

Return flights on ecomony class to Hong Hong start from $1,178, book online at Cathaypacific.com or with your local travel agent.

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Originally published as Cathay Pacific makes ‘bold’ return to bring $20m Far North boost