Air France deal further boost for Cairns
CAIRNS will have stronger links with Europe following a new marketing deal struck between Jetstar and Air France-KLM.
The partnership will further connect the Far North, bringing in thousands of travellers from Asia, Europe and North Africa, and boost the local economy.
Under the deal, a customer can book flights to Cairns using low-cost carrier Jetstar on the website of Air France-KLM, one of Europe’s largest airline companies.
The agreement comes after recent aviation boosts for Cairns, including daily Cathay Pacific flights to Hong Kong, direct Cairns-Osaka services, two new operators coming onto the Cairns-Auckland route and QantasLink’s direct flights to Port Moresby. Jetstar flights will be available for booking but will not market Air France-KLM’s services for now.
Air France-KLM Queensland and Northern Territory account manager Steve Jacobsen said it was time for Cairns to be sold as one of seven primary destinations in Australia.
He said it was about choice and availability to the region and the partnership would better service the Australian passengers by including Cairns and Darwin into the current fare structure, "further cementing our presence on the market".
"Cairns is selling all over Europe and North Africa, and connecting with Tokyo as a destination to fly into," he said.
"All the agents I spoke to in Cairns are just ecstatic. They said it’s the best thing they’ve seen in years.
"This agreement is major and it’s going to bring thousands into the region thanks to a packaged up deal with Air France-KLM and Jetstar."
Jetstar commercial executive manager commercial David Koczkar said it would significantly benefit the local economy.
"I also expect that this partnership will have a positive impact on increasing accessibility for customers within our domestic networks in Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam, leading to significant benefits for local tourism industries," he said.
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