Korean Air will fly to Brisbane five times a week, with Korean visitors expected to spend more than $120 million annually in Queensland.
The additional 89,000 inbound seats will support 1,230 direct and indirect jobs in Queensland each year.
“South Korea is an economic powerhouse, this state’s third largest trading market, and a major technology partner in Queensland’s new energy economy,” said Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff.
The reinstatement of permanent flights “reopens the floodgates for large-scale South Korean tourism to Queensland, making it easier for students to study here and their families to visit,” he added.
The return flight was made possible by the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund in Queensland, a partnership between Brisbane Airport Corporation and the Queensland Government.
Stirling Hinchliffe, Queensland Tourism Minister, hailed Korean Air’s return to Queensland skies.
“The direct flights from Seoul-Incheon Airport to Brisbane by Korean Air are critical to Queensland’s post-pandemic international visitor recovery,” Hinchliffe said.
“Tourism operators are excited to welcome back Korean visitors to share Queensland’s wonderful lifestyle and our one-of-a-kind, world-class visitor experiences.”The resumption of efficient, direct services from Seoul is good news for leisure travellers, working vacationers, and the expanding population of Korean students who have chosen Queensland as their preferred study place.”
Mr Jason Jeong, Korean Air’s Regional Manager for Australia, welcomed the resumption of service as the airline prepared to mark the 30th anniversary of operations in Brisbane.
“We are eager to welcome back Queenslanders on our flights.” “I must thank the Queensland Government and Brisbane Airport Corporation for their assistance in relaunching Korean Air services,” Jeong said.
“Queenslanders will now enjoy Korean Air’s five weekly services to Seoul and beyond to many exciting destinations once again.”
Korean Air is one of the world’s major air cargo carriers. The Boeing 777 flying the route will be welcomed by Queensland’s exporters, who rely on secure and dependable air cargo services to ship to markets worldwide, not only the Korean market.
