In a historic event, the inaugural direct flight from China in almost four years has graced the runways of Cairns Airport. China Eastern Airlines flight MU571, originating from Shanghai, landed at Cairns Airport just past midday on Thursday, marking the commencement of a series of seasonal flights during the Chinese New Year period.
Anticipation is high as thousands of Chinese tourists are expected to immerse themselves in the festivities, welcoming the auspicious Year of the Dragon in the tropical paradise of North Queensland.
Richard Barker, Chief Executive Officer of Cairns Airport, emphasized the significance of this service for the region and local operators, stating, “China is a key inbound tourism market, and these are our first direct flights since the pandemic. We are thrilled to be welcoming China Eastern Airlines today. It is clear that our region remains a destination of desire, and we expect these direct seasonal services will help to accelerate the return of visitors from China.”
This momentous occasion marks the first time Cairns has hosted seasonal flights from China since 2019. The last scheduled service from China was provided by Hainan Airlines, operating to Shenzhen, but ceased operations in March 2020 due to the global pandemic.
Mark Olsen, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, expressed enthusiasm for the return of direct flights between China and Cairns through China Eastern Airlines’ seasonal service. He emphasized the vital role aviation access plays in the international recovery of Tropical North Queensland’s tourism, stating, “China was our largest international market before the pandemic, accounting for one in five international visitor nights and injecting more than $200 million a year into our regional economy.”
Tourism Minister Michael Healy underscored the importance of these seasonal flights, stating, “These seasonal flights for Chinese New Year are vitally important for our tourism industry but will also see the continued return of our international markets. We are very happy to welcome them back. Welcoming back our Chinese market is an important step in rebuilding our international aviation connections.”
Operating the Airbus A330 aircraft, China Eastern Airlines offers 29 business and 203 economy seats for the Cairns route, further solidifying the connection between China and this vibrant Australian destination.
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