Shanghai to Cairns flights locked in for Chinese New Year 2024

Thousands of visitors will experience Far North Queensland’s unrivalled natural splendour as part of a new deal that brings a major international carrier back to Cairns. Details explained.

Cairns is poised to enjoy its biggest Chinese New Year since 2019 with China Easter Airlines commiting to 10 flights to the Far North Queensland city next February. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Thousands of Chinese visitors will experience Far North Queensland’s unrivalled natural splendour as part of a new deal that brings a major international carrier back to Cairns.

China Eastern Airlines will offer direct seasonal flights from Shanghai during the 2024 Chinese New Year period, pouring in around $3m into the region’s visitor economy.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the deal was a major step towards bolstering the region’s tourism sector following the global pandemic.

“We haven’t had a busy February since COVID in the region and this is how we build our international numbers,” Mr Healy said.

“Domestically, we have very solid visitor rates but we don’t have anywhere near the number of international tourists that we had prior to the pandemic.

“In terms of getting those numbers back this is very important.”

The Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc awakened a new dragon at the Chinese New Year celebrations in Grafton Street in 2019. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who recently returned from a trade mission to China, said the estimated 2300 inbound travellers will also create outbound opportunities for primary industries in the Far North.

“More direct flights to and from Queensland opens the door to more good jobs for Queenslanders and opportunities for produce to be exported,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Every flight in leaves full of local produce in its cargo, which means more good jobs for Queenslanders.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with China Eastern Airlines' executive vice president, Mr Wan Qingchao on her most recent trade mission.

The breakthrough deal is a result of long-running negotiations with stakeholders both domestically and abroad, Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said.

“We have worked hard and long to make Queensland a top destination for Chinese New Year holidays, which also fills a traditional quieter time for our industry,” Ms O’Callaghan said.

“I am absolutely delighted to see China Eastern Airlines recognise that demand and putting on these special direct services.”

Thousands of Chinese tourists are poised to visit Far North Queensland’s World Heritage-listed reef and rainforest as well as the Cairns Esplanade lagoon next February. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the flights served as an opportunity to showcase Far North Queensland to the Chinese market.

“This is the missing aviation puzzle piece needed for international visitation to rebound bigger and better than it was prior to the pandemic,” Mr Olsen said.

“This will be Tropical North Queensland’s opportunity to demonstrate to China that our destination is ready to welcome their visitors and has the demand to turn the Cairns route into a year-round service.”

Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said Chinese visitor numbers had been steadily rising in the region with China Eastern resuming direct flights between Shanghai and Brisbane last month.

“We continue to work collaboratively with our airport and tourism partners to enable easy access to our region and encourage Chinese visitation,” Mr Barker said.

The first flight from Shanghai will touch down in Cairns on February 1, next year.

China Eastern will operate the Airbus A330 aircraft to Cairns with 10 flights scheduled to operate from February 1 to February 18.

Pre-pandemic, China was Queensland’s largest market by expenditure with almost half-a-million visitors spending more than $1.6 billion, choosing to stay almost three weeks in the Sunshine State in 2019 alone.

Originally published as Shanghai to Cairns flights locked in for Chinese New Year 2024