Cathay Pacific axes Cairns in NW26?

[LionKing]

According to the latest Cathay magazine and online timetable, Cairns has disappeared from Cathay's route map.

So Cairns is not returning? Perhaps Qantas should launch CNS-HKG with A321XLR instead?

 

[Mwenenzi]

According to the latest Cathay magazine and online timetable, Cairns has disappeared from Cathay's route map.
So Cairns is not returning? Perhaps Qantas should launch CNS-HKG with A321XLR instead?

If CX cannot make HKG-CNS pay less chance QF can. Or even JQ.
CNS is more of a destination for Chinese pax than for AU originating pax to Hong Kong.

 

[AIRwin]

So Cairns is not returning?

This is now confirmed

 

[elanshin]

According to the latest Cathay magazine and online timetable, Cairns has disappeared from Cathay's route map.

So Cairns is not returning? Perhaps Qantas should launch CNS-HKG with A321XLR instead?

Also I don't often see Chinese tourists ONLY visiting CNS. Its usually part of a trip involving somewhere else on the east coast, so little reason to fly direct to or from CNS when you're already going to SYD, MEL and/or BNE.

Getting an Aussie tourist visa as well as the general cost of visiting Australia means usually bigger trips rather than smaller trips (you can do much cheaper trips to places Malaysia from China if you want some tropical resort and without the visa hassle).

And as for Aussies going the other way, I suspect there is nowhere near enough population in the region to sustain the direct route. As a JQ hub at CNS, HKG also doesn't make sense - why would anyone fly from east coast via CNS to HKG vs flying direct or a one stop on a Chinese airline (or Singapore Airlines).

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

CNS needs a lot of freight to make it work. It should also consider marketing beachside property to Hong Kong millionaires as a lifestyle trophy asset.

 

[tomlee1986]

TBH Hkers don't normally see CNS as a stop as their first stop of their Australian holiday, more SYD, MEL, even BNE is not as many - thus not surprised about cancellation of this route

 

[Layslow]

That route only worked for CX because of government subsidies. That's it. It was in no way, shape or form profitable without Government pouring in taxpayer funds. I love Cairns, but I really don't know what the appeal is - its dated, tired and the CBD is like a ghost town and you have to travel to find any decent beaches

 

[AIRwin]

decent beaches

Without croc?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

There are no beaches up there without crocs. I've seen the inside them swimming nets at Palm Cove.
Unlike sharks they can just walk in over the beach.

The town might be underwhelming but the proximity to rainforest and reef is not.
The Atherton Tableland is magnificent and the diving trips are great, although Port Douglas might be better for the latter.
Port Douglas is also closer to Mossman Gorge.

 

[LionKing]

TBH Hkers don't normally see CNS as a stop as their first stop of their Australian holiday, more SYD, MEL, even BNE is not as many - thus not surprised about cancellation of this route

And also low demand from China.
Even Singapore Airlines can always offer reward tickets on CNS route, almost every day.