Attracting Aviation Investment Fund scores again – Scoot Airlines on the Gold Coast
The $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund is kicking goals
Following on from its role in attracting United Airlines running a service between San Francisco and Brisbane, the fund has also played a key role in securing the retention of key Singaporean flights to boost international arrivals to the Gold Coast.
The Queensland Government, in partnership with Gold Coast Airport and Destination Gold Coast, has secured the retention of Scoot Airline services to the Gold Coast.
Singaporean airline Scoot has been flying between the Gold Coast and Singapore for the past 10 years.
The retention of Scoot’s service to the Gold Coast is seen as important to the return of international tourists to the holiday mecca.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic Singapore was Queensland’s 10th largest market by expenditure and visitation with 69,700 visitors spending $151.5 million in overnight expenditure with an average stay of 10.9 days.
According to Gold Coast Airport, Scoot has delivered 310 000 visitors to the Gold Coast since 2012, including almost 15,000 international students over the last five years.
Recognising that international aviation connectivity is critical to the recovery of Queensland’s tourism industry, the Queensland Government set up the $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund in partnership with Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns airports.
The aim is to bring more overseas passengers to Queensland.
It is the largest investment of any Australian state or territory in securing inbound international flights after COVID-19.
The combined $200 million investment is estimated to deliver up to 5.3 million airline seats per year, generating almost $4 billion in overnight visitor expenditure.
United Airlines, the world’s second largest carrier, will fly Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners three times a week between San Francisco and Brisbane.