Cathay Pacific ends seasonal Cairns service; Queensland politics flare over tourism support

# What happened Cathay Pacific has again suspended its seasonal service between Cairns and Hong Kong after operating the route for two seasons. The carrier returned the route in 2024–25 after having dropped it in 2019, ran a second season in 2025–26, then announced this month it would discontinue the Cairns service.

# Airline statement

# Political reaction in Queensland Labor MP and Shadow Minister for Tourism Michael Healy publicly criticised the Queensland Government, saying the withdrawal is "a fresh setback to the Far North's tourism industry." He questioned what the state's Aviation Attraction Fund is being used for and accused the State Tourism Minister and Assistant Minister for Tourism of offering no leadership on the issue.

Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell responded by blaming route withdrawals on short-term arrangements that were secured under the former Labor Government's aviation fund. Powell said the Crisafulli Government is implementing longer-term plans to strengthen the aviation network, support local businesses and grow the Tropical North Queensland economy.

# The central dispute The immediate disagreement is over responsibility and strategy. Healy frames the problem as a failure of state government action and use of targeted funding to retain international routes. Powell counters that the routes lost were temporary deals and that longer-term planning is under way. Both positions focus on how to restore and sustain international connectivity for Cairns.

# Context and timeline

• Cathay Pacific previously cut the Cairns service in 2019.
• The airline reinstated the route for the 2024–25 season and continued for 2025–26 before the recent suspension.
• The debate has revived questions about government intervention, route-support funds and how to attract or retain international carriers to regional airports.

# What this means for Cairns Loss of a direct Hong Kong link reduces international options for Far North Queensland, which local politicians and tourism operators view as important for inbound visitors. The airline's decision is framed as commercial, but the political argument is about whether targeted public measures could have kept the route viable.

# Where things stand

# Short takeaways for readers

• The suspension is a commercial choice by Cathay Pacific after two seasons of service to Cairns.
• The announcement has triggered a public clash between state Labor and the current government over aviation support and tourism strategy.
• Restoring international connectivity to Cairns is now a political as well as a commercial challenge.