More Canadians will be chasing the sun to Queensland and sharing our great lifestyle with Air Canada flying direct daily to Brisbane International Airport from June 2023
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said daily Air Canada flights from Vancouver had been secured by Queensland's Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.
"This is another important addition to the arrivals board at Brisbane Airport as we rebuild Queensland's international visitor economy after the pandemic," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Air Canada's shift to daily flights opens up new opportunities for an extra 33,500 visitors to enjoy the great Queensland holiday lifestyle and sunshine we know Canadians love.
"The daily services from Vancouver will support 680 Queensland jobs and a $70 million boost for our visitor economy.
"We can't wait to see more Canadians coming out of the cold and living it up with world-class visitor experiences in the Sunshine State.
"Overseas aviation is highly competitive and absolutely critical to rebuilding Queensland's international tourism industry.
"That's why the Palaszczuk Government has partnered with the State's four international airports on Queensland's $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund war chest.
"This is Australia's biggest international aviation attraction fund and with six direct services secured for Queensland it's getting results for tourism operators."
Air Canada's daily services from June will deliver almost 109,000 seats each year, direct to Brisbane.
As Queensland's eleventh biggest visitor market before the pandemic, 67,000 Canadians spent on average 18 days supporting the State's visitor economy.
The airline's current four flights per week were among the first to be supported by Queensland's $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.
Air Canada's Australian and New Zealand General Manager Vic Naughton said: "Air Canada has seen strong demand for the Vancouver – Brisbane service since its recommencement in July and is excited to add this additional frequency with the support of the Queensland Government to bring our operations back beyond their full pre COVID level with these daily flights commencing from northern summer next year."
Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said: "This will mean Air Canada's capacity into Brisbane is greater than pre-Covid. This is a great sign of the recovery and firmly places Queensland as a destination of choice for the North American market in time for their summer period."
