Brisbane Airport has just seen twin announcements boosting two Asia-Pacific routes, as the Queensland hub continues to expand its international services.
Most significantly, China Southern Airlines has announced a seasonal expansion of its Brisbane-Guangzhou route, stepping up to double daily flights during the peak summer period of 2025/26.
From November through March, China Southern will add 85 services and more than 53,000 seats, operated by its A350 fleet.
The new schedule for CZ’s BNE services looks like this:
- 17 November – 14 December 2025: 10 flights per week
- 15 December 2025 – 22 February 2026: Double daily flights – 14 per week
- 23 February – 2 March 2026: 11 flights per week
A boost for two-way tourism and trade, the rise represents the airline’s strongest-ever Brisbane schedule since its launch in 2010, and comes as the carrier marks its 15th anniversary in Queensland.
The additional capacity means more flexibility for passengers, with one-stop links through Guangzhou to major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, plus broader Asia connections including Vietnam – the fastest growing overseas destination among Aussies.
“This is like adding an extra Suncorp Stadium’s worth of capacity between China and Brisbane over summer,” Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said.
“It’s not just a tweak to services; it’s a doubling of seasonal capacity and a bold endorsement of Brisbane and Queensland’s appeal.
“After 15 years of partnership, this next chapter delivers more visitors, and more trade, as well as throwing down the gauntlet to its competitors.”
China Southern Airlines Regional General Manager Jason Sun said the capacity increase underlines the carrier’s commitment to “strengthening connectivity between Queensland and our global network via our Guangzhou hub”.
“As one of the world’s largest airlines, we understand the importance of seamless travel for tourism, trade and cultural exchange,” he remarked.
“The increased frequencies will offer passengers more flexibility, smoother connections through Guangzhou, and enhanced access to China and beyond.
The new China Southern service (CZ635/CZ636) arrives in Brisbane at 9.10pm and departs the Queensland capital at 11pm, complementing the current day flight option.
Pristine Palau
Guangzhou isn’t the only destination boosting Brisbane’s reach.
After the success of a trial route launched in December 2024, Qantas has confirmed it will extend its Brisbane-Koror service for another year, keeping Australia connected with nonstop flights to Palau.
Dubbed the “Palau Paradise Express”, the weekly operation has proven a hit with Australian travellers – and visitor numbers to Palau tell the story: arrivals surged 113 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared to last year, with Aussies driving much of the boom.
According to the Palau Visitors Authority, March and April 2025 recorded the strongest year-on-year growth in Aussie arrivals, with March up 146%, showing rising interest in the island nation.
Around three in four Australians visiting Palau this year are also first-timers, which means word of the destination is spreading.
Palau has much to offer travellers, with 300 coral-fringed islands, UNESCO-listed Rock Islands and some of the Pacific’s most pristine water, to name a few of its attractions.
The service, supported by the Federal Government, will continue to operate on Saturdays, with Qantas B737 aircraft making the six-hour hop from Brisbane to Koror.
Qantas CEO International Cam Wallace said the airline was “thrilled” with the renewal of the service.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to see so many Australians discovering this destination for the first time since we launched the route, and the response has been phenomenal,” he stated.
“It’s also great to see the significant rise in visitor arrivals to Palau, with Aussie travellers being a driving force behind this remarkable result. This strong demand reinforces our commitment to connecting Australians with unique destinations and supporting Palau’s growing tourism industry.”
Palau Visitors Authority Director Kadoi Ruluked said the service had made an impact on the country’s economy.
“Australian travellers have really embraced the Qantas route, with many visiting Palau for the first time to explore our spectacular dive sites,” he remarked.
“Local tour operators are already seeing the benefits, with strong interest across a range of experiences from traditional sailing tours around the Rock Islands to WWII history adventures on Peleliu.
“The continuation of this route is a vital step in supporting our tourism sector’s long-term growth.”
In addition, Palau is gaining traction in the Aussie travel trade, with six wholesalers adding product and creating 20 new itineraries in 2025. Major retailers, OTAs and wholesalers, including Entire Travel Group, Ignite Travel Group and Luxury Escapes, now feature the destination, while more than 100 travel advisors have registered for self-famils.
Brisbane Airport now serves 35 international destinations and is in the middle of a $5 billion transformation, which includes upgraded security and a planned Terminal 3.
