Qantas has deepened its commitment to Queensland by announcing it will operate flights between Manila and Brisbane, with four return services each week starting from October 2024.
Over a three-year period, the new service is forecast to bring almost 170,000 additional inbound seats to Queensland worth AUD 81.5 million in overnight visitor expenditure and up to 340 jobs.
“The Philippines is currently Brisbane’s 12th biggest inbound tourism market. Qantas will cement it as a top 10 player for Queensland,” according to Gert-Jan de Graaff, Brisbane Airport CEO.
The carrier will operate an Airbus A330-200 on the route, with up to 15 tonnes of export capacity on every outbound flight, providing faster delivery of Queensland’s fresh produce.
“The Philippines is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and a key trading partner for Queensland. With our state home to a vibrant Filipino community, the business and tourism opportunities generated by this expanded connectivity will no doubt be a success.”
The route is supported by the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, a joint initiative of the Queensland Government and the state’s international airports.
Already the fund has delivered two million additional inbound seats and AUD 1.8 billion of economic activity for Queensland. The commitment from Qantas is set to increase this.
“This is terrific news for both Queensland and Qantas," said Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy.
“Manila to Brisbane is an important international route for Queensland, as it provides increased capacity to a rapidly growing South East Asia market. As an aviation super hub, the Philippines is a strategic connection for international students and overseas travellers looking to enjoy Queensland’s great lifestyle and world-class visitor experiences, as well as the State’s exporters."
Qantas will also expand capacity between Singapore and Brisbane, increasing from seven to nine return services per week from 27 October 2024.
These additional flights are timed to improve connectivity with Qantas’ daily service from Singapore to London, reducing overall travel time from Brisbane by around four hours.
“By the time these extra services begin, Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will be opening, offering visitors a whole new world of entertainment and spectacular sky-high views," said Brisbane Airport's Gert-Jan de Graaff.
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