Tasmania is moving closer to again securing direct flights between Asia and Hobart, with the state government confirming it is in talks with both Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff says new international air services would boost both tourism and freight offerings into the major Asian markets.
“These are two world leading air carriers and we’d love to see them flying direct to Hobart,” he said.
“We know Tasmania is a must-visit travel destination, with tourism injecting about $3.5 billion into the state’s economy each year.”
The potential opportunities arose from a recent trade and investment mission to China, where it was revealed that in the year ending August 2024, Tasmania’s exports to China accounted for 31% of its total.
Government data suggests 5,500 jobs were created for Tasmanians in the 2022-2023 fiscal year as a result of trade with China.
Once upgrades to the Hobart Airport apron, taxiways and runway are complete, long-haul wide-body jets could be operating to and from the state by mid-2025.
“We know Tasmania has what the world wants and we are throwing open the doors to visitors,” Rockliff said.
“Almost 43,000 Tasmanians work in the tourism and hospitality sector and my government is backing in every single one of them.”
Cathay Pacific has previously operated freight services to Hobart using both its Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
As recently as 2021, the weekly flights were packed with fresh Tasmanian produce, including seafood and seasonal cherries.
In the 12 months to December 2021, fresh produce exports to Asia brought in over $24 million into the local economy.
