CAIRNS international airport is absolutely buzzing with flights at the moment. Now for the next big push, out into the South Pacific direct from Cairns.

The Far North is on track to conquer Asia following the weekend’s announcement of new Cathay Pacific flights, flying from Honkers to Cairns daily, starting in November.

And there are more flights – increasingly cheaper – every day to and from Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Japan.

All that leaves us now is to take on the rest of the Pacific. If you try to book a flight from Cairns to the South Pacific, you still have to detour through Brisbane, or worse, Sydney.

If we can have direct flights to Japan, direct flights to Guam, and even direct flights to Melbourne, there is no reason why we cannot have direct flights into South Pacific hubs such as Nadi or Port Vila.

Cairns has booming South Islander population, with many residents forced to pay big bucks to make the annual pilgrimage to visit family and friends in the islands.

Cheap, direct flights from Cairns into the region will not only ensure a constant stream of traffic, it will also open up the South Pacific to Cairns businesses and service organisations.

This, in turn would truly allow the Far North to become the tropical hub for all things Pacific. Tokyo – eat your heart out.

Additionally, adding routes into the South Pacific will also allow our tourism industry to further blossom through the lucrative romantic holiday market.

Destinations such as Palm Cove, Port Douglas and Mission Beach already have a fair share of holidaying honeymooners.

By offering direct flights into the South Pacific, Cairns could become the first leg on the honeymoon route, offering domestic newlyweds hoping to make the traditional post-wedding break away from the in-laws a far more attractive prospect than waiting in line at Brisbane or Sydney
international airports.

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