October 11, 2016
Cathay Pacific Airways will start operating a weekly international air cargo service out of Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport next month.
The 747-8F service between Toowoomba and Hong Kong – Southern Queensland’s only scheduled international air freight-only service – will start on November 22.
Wagners’ global chairman and airport developer John Wagner said it was a major coup not only for the airport but for Queensland’s primary producers and exporters.
“We are absolutely delighted Cathay Pacific has committed to operating a scheduled weekly Boeing 747-8F service out of the airport,” Mr Wagner said.
“The opportunities this creates for Queensland exporters to benefit from Australia’s free trade agreements and to access the world’s biggest consumer markets are unlimited.
“We are on the cusp of very exciting times and the reality for our multi-million-dollar agricultural and processing sectors is produce such as chilled beef and other perishables will be able to fly direct to Asia from the region in which they are produced, creating both valuable first mile and cool chain efficiencies, and enabling significant capacity for the growth of trade.”
The announcement comes less than 12 months after Cathay Pacific Airways flew a Boeing 747-8F from Wellcamp Airport to Hong Kong on a trial service.
The international scheduled weekly freight service will be operated on a Cathay Pacific 747-8, which will initially depart from Sydney, then land in Melbourne, with a final stop in Toowoomba before the nine-hour direct flight to Hong Kong.
Menzies Aviation, in partnership with Wellcamp Airport, will manage the ground handling and cargo terminal operations.
Cathay Pacific Airways Southwest Pacific general manager Nelson Chin said he was thrilled to see the realisation of the efforts of many to introduce the new service, and in particular the management of Brisbane West Wellcamp, the Queensland and Federal governments, freight forwarders, local businesses and the Cathay Pacific Cargo teams in Australia and Hong Kong.
“We were enormously encouraged by the enthusiasm and support of everyone involved in this venture,” he said.
“The combination of primary producers in the Darling Downs area exporting beef, dairy and fresh produce, as well as significant mining and manufacturing businesses in southern Queensland makes it a truly dynamic part of Australia.
“China buys more of Australia’s agricultural products than any other country and we are confident our new service will provide these businesses with a competitive advantage as the benefits of the new China-Australia Free Trade Agreement increase.”
The Cathay flight serving Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport will be CX022. It will operate on Tuesdays Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane West Wellcamp, arriving into Queensland at 16:45 and departing at 18:15.
The Boeing 747-8F has a cargo capacity of approximately 135,000 tonnes, carrying 34 pallets on the main deck and 12 on the lower deck.
It also features a cargo door in the nose of the aircraft which enables more efficient loading and unloading of cargo.
The flight will arrive into Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal in Hong Kong at 00:45 on Wednesdays enabling, for example, fresh produce to be delivered to the markets and restaurants in China later that morning as well as on to a vast number of destinations around the world.
The State Government also welcomed the announcement, with Deputy Premier Jackie Trad saying it demonstrated the strength of Queensland’s agricultural export sector.
“I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Brisbane West Wellcamp and Wagners on this fantastic initiative for the Darling Downs and Toowoomba region,” Ms Trad said.
“This announcement is a clear endorsement of the ever-increasing export opportunities for our Queensland agricultural producers and exporters who now have a direct line to one of our region’s most lucrative markets.
“The emerging Asian middle-class is driving up demand for clean, green produce and Queensland is perfectly placed to capitalise on this demand, delivering jobs and economic growth right throughout Queensland.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to driving opportunities for our exporters which is why in May this year we declared the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport a strategic airport to support its growth.”
Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson said the announcement would support local producers.
“The practical effect of this announcement is that producers in the Darling Downs and Toowoomba can now export their fresh produce directly from the region in which it was produced,” Ms Donaldson said.
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