Brisbane Airport, Queensland tourism and China-bound travellers have a new reason to smile following the announcement of the resumption of nonstop flights to/from Shanghai next month.
China Eastern Airlines revealed today that it would resume direct flights between its Shanghai base and Brisbane from 29 October, nearly three weeks earlier than the return of China Southern Airlines’ Brisbane-Guangzhou flights announced last month.
The new Brisbane-Shanghai Pudong service will relaunch as a three-times-weekly operation before growing to a daily service from 8 December 2023, just in time for the peak travel season.
China’s second-largest airline, China Eastern will utilise its A330-200 aircraft on the route with a capacity of 232 pasengers.
Win for Queensland
Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the announcement was “big news for the Gold Coast, Brisbane and North Queensland”.
“We are delighted to welcome Shanghai back to the BNE destination map,” he stated.
“Shanghai is China’s largest city and a commercial hub, making it a key city for business and leisure travel.
“With two carriers now set to resume services from mainland China, we’re forecasting China will likely regain its spot as Queensland’s number one source for inbound tourists in 2024.”
“An exceptional hub”
China Eastern Airlines Oceania General Manager Jim Young said the China flights “will further substantiate Shanghai as an exceptional hub for both business and leisure travellers to destinations across China and beyond on a global scale”.
“China Eastern Airlines, a member of Skyteam, is thrilled to return to Brisbane from 29 October 2023, and offer Brisbane travellers nonstop service to Shanghai,” he remarked.
“We, the Queensland Government, and Brisbane Airport align with a shared value and vision in our commitment to reintroducing this route in 2023.”
The 26th deal gained through the Queensland Government and airports initiative, Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, the new China flights could create around $314 million for Queensland’s visitor economy over three years.
“This is more terrific news for the international recovery of Queensland’s world-class tourism industry,” Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.
“We know Chinese travellers are eager to return and rediscover Queensland’s great lifestyle and iconic visitor experiences from the Torres Strait and the Reef to our amazing beaches and the Outback.
“The message potential visitors are hearing in China from Tourism and Events Queensland’s (TEQ) tourism marketing is Queensland is Good to Go.
“We’re seeing that reflected in strong Queensland holiday bookings from Guangzhou and now new tourism opportunities for visitors to fly direct from China’s biggest city, Shanghai.”
Brisbane boost
Meanwhile, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said, “Brisbane just keeps getting better and our growing reputation as a safe and exciting destination means visitors from around the world are eager to explore our incredible city”.
“This deal will see an entire new generation of Chinese travellers discover Brisbane’s retail, restaurant, tourism and entertainment precincts which will help create jobs and opportunities for local residents,” she stated.
Through Shanghai Pudong Airport, China Eastern can link travellers to 80 domestic destinations and also 46 destinations around the world.
Last week, the Greens announced a bill that would put a curfew on flights between 10pm and 6am at Brisbane Airport – read more about that here.
