Wuhan-Gold Coast direct air route to open in September

China's first direct air route from Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, to Gold Coast city in Queensland, Australia, will be launched in September, according to Jetstar Airways.

The agreement on launching the direct air route was signed on May 6 by Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland, Kate Jones, Minister for Queensland Tourism, and representatives from Jetstar Airways and Hubei Wanda New Air Line International Travel Service Co.

Annastacia Palaszczuk said the air route will have two direct flights every week from Wuhan to Gold Coast, bringing about 35,000 Chinese tourists to Gold Coast.

"Opening China's first direct air route to Gold Coast means a lot to Queensland's aviation industry. The air route is expected to contribute a tourism revenue of 53 million Australian Dollars ($ 42 million) to Queensland's economy", added Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Kate Jones, Minister for Queensland Tourism, said, "Launching the air route is our strategy to stimulate the economic development and employment market in Queensland. Queensland is striving to welcome more Chinese tourists."

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate expressed his excitement and said that 60 percent of Chinese tourists who visit Queensland love to tour the Gold Coast. Gold Coast sees the air route as an opportunity to explore the Chinese market.

Relevant data shows that about 186,000 Chinese tourists visit Gold Coast every year. During the course of one year from September 2013 to September 2014, Chinese tourists have contributed 591 million Australian Dollars to Queensland's tourism economy, maintaining China's status as Gold Coast's number one international tourist source.

The direct air route will be officially launched on Sept 29, and flights operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays from both directions. Boeing 787-800 type aircrafts will be running on the route. It has 335 seats including 21 for business-class.

Jetstar Airways, with headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, is a low-cost airline. It operates an extensive domestic network as well as regional and international services from its main base at Melbourne Airport.