Qantas is all set to commence direct flights between Brisbane and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. This new service is the first direct connection between the two cities and will replace Qantas' former service to Narita Airport saving the passengers an hour’s time on arrival in Tokyo.
Qantas Regional General Manager for Asia, John Simeone, said: “The flights will boost tourism and revive business opportunities between Australia and Japan. Pre-COVID, Japan was one of the most popular destinations for Australian travellers and we are seeing the demand for Tokyo bounce back strongly. The new flight from Brisbane into Haneda Airport gives our customers much easier and faster access to downtown Tokyo and one of the world’s most important business markets, saving more than an hour of transit time in getting to the city.”
The resumption of Brisbane-Tokyo flights also provides Australian producers in the region with more cargo space on Qantas’ freight network for the export of fresh produce such as chilled meat, seafood, dairy, fruit, and vegetables.
Qantas’ direct flight from Tokyo Haneda to Brisbane is supported by Queensland’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund in partnership with the State’s four international airports.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said: “Japan was an important part of Queensland’s recovery plan for inbound international tourism. Every year, Qantas direct from Haneda will land 46,460 seats in Brisbane and deliver more opportunities for Japanese visitors to enjoy Queensland’s great lifestyle.”
Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO, of Brisbane Airport Corporation, said: “The new flights would play an important role in supporting local business and tourism operations. This is a milestone day for BNE. We are delighted to see the return of flights between Tokyo and Brisbane Airport, boosting one of Queensland’s most important tourism markets. These Qantas services will bring more visitors, students on working holidays, and business travelers to Brisbane while generating valuable opportunities for Queensland exporters.”
Before the pandemic, Japan was one of Queensland tourism’s top five nations for overseas holiday arrivals and visitor spending. As per Australia’s Ministry of Tourism, Direct Qantas flights from Tokyo Haneda will potentially generate $41 million a year for Brisbane’s visitor economy and support 400 good Queensland jobs.
Qantas will fly its Airbus A330 aircraft, with Business Suites and lie-flat beds, offering more than 1,700 seats on the route each week.
The Qantas Group operates more than 20 return flights per week from Australia to Japan. This includes Qantas’ flights from Brisbane to Tokyo Haneda and Sydney to Tokyo Haneda.
Qantas flights between Melbourne and Tokyo Haneda will resume in March 2023. The Group’s low-fares airline, Jetstar, operates flights from Cairns to Tokyo Narita and Osaka, and Gold Coast to Tokyo Narita.
Customers traveling to other destinations across Japan can connect through Haneda to domestic services operated by Qantas’ partner JAL.