Jet* Resumes Cairns/Osaka. Cairns Base Expands
17 March, 2009
INCREASED FLIGHTS GOOD NEWS FOR CAIRNS
The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, and the Member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, have welcomed today’s decision by Jetstar to reinstate direct international services between Cairns and western Japan on the Cairns-Osaka route
Both the Federal and Queensland governments have worked hard and spent more than $8 million to assist the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry since the Qantas Group cut services between Cairns and Japan last June
Minister Ferguson said: "The Australian Government's response has supported marketing and business development initiatives and resulted in increased charter flights and new international services between Cairns and Japan.
"Today's very welcome announcement by Jetstar builds on these achievements "Australia's tourism industry is presently operating within a volatile global market, so this decision will provide a major boost for the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry Mr Turnour said: Tropical North Queensland is a premier tourist destination and Jetstar's plan to fly an extra four weekly services to Osaka will be welcomed by local tourism operators.
“Increased flights mean increased visitors which of course, mean increased economic activity and jobs for Tropical North Queensland”
Jetstar has also advised their intention to extend its existing Cairns pilot and crew base to include international pilots to support growing operations from the city.
Mr Turnour said: "Marketing investment in Japan to increase awareness and preference to visit Australia will also realise an increase in visitor numbers and assist our important local industry.
“I look forward to working with Jetstar, Queensland Airports, and the local industry to see the realisation of this plan which would increase visitors arriving directly to Cairns from Japan, thereby supporting the local economy and importantly, local jobs.