China Eastern to increase flights into Queensland state

Aircraft parked at Changsha Huanghua International Airport in Central China's Hunan province, April 2, 2016 [Photo/VCG]

SYDNEY - Chinese airline China Eastern will increase its flights from Shanghai to Brisbane, the Queensland state government announced on Thursday.

Queensland state premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said daily flights would commence in December, following high-level discussions during her recent trade mission to China.

She said the move would provide a significant boost for tourism in the state.

"Our partnership with China Eastern was a first and the airline has shown great confidence in my government's ongoing commitment to increase aviation access to Queensland," Palaszczuk said.

"Having met with senior China Eastern officials in China recently and putting the case for more flights to and from Queensland, I'm very pleased in their decision to increase their commitment from three flights per week to seven."

She noted the daily route would bring up to 85,000 inbound passengers to Queensland and generate 53 million Australian dollars ($39.72 million) in economic benefit to the state.

"We know that every dollar we generate for tourism supports Queensland jobs."

The government noted a record 400,000 Chinese travellers visited Queensland in 2015 contributing almost 1 billion Australian dollars ($749.48 million) in visitor expenditure.

Tourism minister Kate Jones said Queensland state became the first Australian state to partner with China Eastern in a landmark agreement late in 2015.

"Continuing to strengthen partnerships in the Asian market is a key focus for our government with the aim of generating increased visitation from the region," Jones said.