Queensland Tourism Soars With New Connectivity Era

• Crisafulli Government delivers new era of connectivity for Queensland.
• Four major carriers to expand services as part of $75 million Connecting Queensland Fund.
• Boosting connectivity a key pillar of Crisafulli Government's landmark Destination 2045 tourism plan.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future after a decade of decline under Labor.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future after delivering a suite of flight routes this Christmas that's set to take the State's tourism sector to new heights.

Announced as a key priority of the state's visionary tourism plan Destination 2045, the $75 million Connecting Queensland Fund has cleared the flight path for expanded services through Qantas, Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand and China Southern Airlines to the Sunshine State.

It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and delivering a fresh start for the State's tourism industry.

Bringing more visitors to Queensland by connecting the regions to the world will drive economic growth for local communities and small businesses like coffee shops, restaurants and tourism operators that thrive when visitor numbers increase.

The fund proves the sky is the limit for Queensland's aviation industry under the Crisafulli Government, after a decade of decline under Labor ended with a planned 95 per cent funding cut for the tourism sector.

As part of the new era of connectivity:

• China Southern Airlines has ramped up its services from Brisbane Airport, moving to twice-daily Brisbane-Guangzhou flights year-round from 30 March next year. This will bring more than 114,000 extra seats into Brisbane every year, resulting in an estimated $498 million in visitor expenditure over three years and delivering up to 1040 direct and 630 indirect new jobs.
• Qantas will launch an international service connecting Auckland directly to the Gold Coast from 16 June 2026, boosting Queensland's economy by an estimated $85 million while supporting 130 direct and 80 indirect jobs.
• Fiji Airways will introduce a new service from Nadi to the Gold Coast three times a week which is set to inject more than $51 million into Queensland's economy and supporting 100 direct and 60 indirect jobs, all while strengthening links with Fiji and opening connections to Canada and the USA.
• Air New Zealand will expand its Brisbane schedule for the March–October 2026 season, adding more than 35,000 extra seats compared to 2025, boosting Brisbane–Christchurch services to operate eight times a week, and increasing the Brisbane–Auckland route to up to 26 flights per week.

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said each new flight was delivering a fresh wave of opportunity.

"Queensland is the home of the holiday and these new routes mean more visitors and more money flowing into local businesses," Minster Powell said.

"We said we'd boost connectivity - and we are doing exactly that. We are making Queensland more accessible and more connected than ever before.

"We promised more strategic connections ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and this is just the beginning."

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler said that improved aviation access was one of the most powerful levers for Queensland's visitor economy, and these new and expanded services show what can be achieved through coordinated, long-term investment.

"Queensland is one of the most geographically dispersed states in the country, and reliable intra-state access is essential for regional communities, operators and their workforces," Mrs Wheeler said.

"The Connecting Queensland Fund reflects that broader need, and we welcome the early signs of momentum now translating into tangible benefits for industry."

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the boost from China Airlines would mark the highest-ever frequency since it commenced operations in Brisbane in 2010.

"Moving to double-daily flights year-round will supercharge Brisbane's connectivity and give travellers greater choice and flexibility when flying to and from China," Mr de Graaff said.

Regional General Manager of China Southern Airlines ANZ Jason Sun said the strengthened schedule reflected ongoing demand from both sides.

"This capacity enhancement reflects our long-term confidence in Queensland market and directly responds to the growing demand for business, tourism, cultural exchange, and family travel between the Greater Bay Area and Brisbane," Mr Sun said.