Cairns Airport: Welcome China Southern

Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Brown, said the announcement follows several years of China Southern successfully operating Chinese New Year charter flights into Cairns from Guangzhou.

"Cairns Airport has worked closely with China Southern over several years to secure a direct service from Guangzhou," Mr Brown said. "There has also been vital support provided by the Queensland Government, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Australia, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Cairns Regional Council and Advance Cairns."

"The announcement of three flights per week into Cairns over two and a half months from 18 December significantly extends China Southern's previous Chinese New Year services and further demonstrates the airline's confidence in our region as it makes Cairns its fifth Australian destination after Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth."

The new service will be triangulated operating Guangzhou-Brisbane-Cairns-Guangzhou.

"We will continue to work with China Southern to secure a permanent direct service."

"Yesterday's announcement follows that made by China Eastern last month of a direct Shanghai-Cairns service three times per week from October. Both will have an enormous impact on our tourism industry and regional economy as they connect the Chinese market directly with the Great Barrier Reef and the many other attractions on offer here and strengthen Cairns' position as the Asia-Pacific gateway to Australia."

"Both new services add to the daily flights provided by Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong, a route that airline has successfully operated for the past 19 years."

"We continue to make preparations at Cairns Airport to ensure we are China ready and encourage the region's tourism industry and businesses to also embrace this opportunity."