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The Gold Coast will see its first direct connection to Hong Kong in six years with a new seasonal route over Lunar New Year.
Hong Kong Airlines will fly four times per week between the Gold Coast and Hong Kong from 17 January to 15 February 2025 and is expected to deliver around 6,000 inbound seats to the Gold Coast over the five-week period.
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This will be the first non-stop service from the Gold Coast to greater China since 2018, said Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans, and will also mark Hong Kong Airlines’ re-entry into the long-haul market.
“We are hopeful the seasonal service will elevate the Gold Coast as a destination of choice in our key markets of Hong Kong and mainland China, and if successful, will translate into longer-term services,” she said.
“China has always been a critical visitor market for the Gold Coast and Queensland more broadly, so reconnecting to Hong Kong marks a positive step forward in our international recovery journey.”
Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy hailed the route as another success for the state’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.
“These seasonal, Lunar New Year flights to the Gold Coast will provide a real festive season boost for local tourism operators and hospitality providers and is critical in helping us build an $11 billion international visitor economy by the 2032 Games,” he said.
“The Attracting Aviation Investment Fund has now secured 36 international routes and more than 2.28 million inbound international seats worth $2 billion in visitor spending each year.”
More than 280,000 Chinese and Hong Kong visitors per year came to the Gold Coast prior to 2018, which Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said was worth $430.3 million to the Gold Coast economy.
“The market is still on the long road to recovery with $96.7 million, or 53,000 visitors, contributed to the Gold Coast economy in year ending March 2024,” he said.
“One of our key priorities is to grow connectivity and secure new airline partnerships so the Gold Coast can tap into new markets but also re-establish links with markets that are crucial for the resurgence of international visitation.”
