Qantas we need you [to service Cairns Internationally]

[dajop]

IIRC it was about 30 or more years ago that TSV (briefly) had international flights scheduled. Didn’t last long, unfortunately.

Cheers skip

On QF?

On other airlines, JQ briefly served TSV-DPS a couple of years ago.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

On QF?

On other airlines, JQ briefly served TSV-DPS a couple of years ago.

Ansett started TSV-SIN in 1980.
Lots of international flights from 1983-1993 including QF, CX, NZ, JA, GA etc but they tailed off with the opening of the new international terminal at CNS, and ceased in 1995.
Qantas flew TSV-SIN flights from 2001-2002.
Only flights to DPS since then which J* stopped in early 2018.

 

[Melburnian1]

...With the exception of the expensive Silkair flights to Singapore (a good place to transit) and Hainan Airlines flights to Shenzen (not a good place to transit!). Its all about horrendous and/or inconvenient transit options for people in Cairns - whether its Port Moresby, Shenzen, Denpasar etc the theme seems to be either expensive and/or inconvenient...

I used MI for a one way journey from SIN to CNS within the last 18 months and did not find the fare particularly expensive.

 

[wandering_fred]

Having just arranged to fly from HKG to DRW (not a simple exercise) I sympathize with CNS people....
If did fly HNL-CNS in 1987.... And enjoyed my one and only stay in CNS. Actually would be somewhat interested in CNS-HNL next year, but will likely make that PER-KUL//KUL-NRT-HNL. Something about fares from Australia to HNL.

I also note that CNS is almost on the great circle between PER and LAX..... I suspect QF will ignore this fact.

Happy wandering
Fred

 

[eastwest101]

I used MI for a one way journey from SIN to CNS within the last 18 months and did not find the fare particularly expensive.

Yes I have probably been looking at prices often in school holidays so I expect if you pick your times or are flexible you could get some reasonable MI prices for flights to SIN.

For flights between CNS and Europe & Asia and elsewhere then SIN is a sensible and convenient transit point (and a destination in its own right as well), with CX withdrawing that takes out HGK as an option, and the other international destinations arent appealing destinations or transit airports unless you fancy getting arrested in Shenzhen, mugged in Jackson Field or sleeping on the floor in Denpassar airport.

If BNE or SYD were such awesome airports to transit domestic to international and vice versa then it wouldn't be an issue, but the whole backtracking in the wrong direction to fly anywhere internationally is not appealing to some people.

 

[amaroo]

Flying time from Cairns to BNE isn't that bad .... we need to spend almost the same time in the car.

 

[Melburnian1]

Flying time from Cairns to BNE isn't that bad .... we need to spend almost the same time in the car.

It's more the psychological 'travelling backwards' that eastwest101 discussed that is offputting to many.

Just as I intensely dislike on any mode of transport sitting backwards (BA/ V/Line/ some van manufacturers take note), so too do I like to be travelling towards my destination, not away from it.

 

[amaroo]

It's more the psychological 'travelling backwards' that eastwest101 discussed that is offputting to many.

Just as I intensely dislike on any mode of transport sitting backwards (BA/ V/Line/ some van manufacturers take note), so too do I like to be travelling towards my destination, not away from it.

Drive or fly.... what's the diff?

 

[Limewood]

To catch an international fight out of SYD or BNE to Asia for instance means flying out with NoStar at 6am makes a bloody long day for seniors like me, its also about 2 hours longer than flyng direct from CNS, the only way is a stopover 1 night IMO. Flight prices CNS/SIN/CNS are ridiculous just like CX was to HKG.

Its about to boom more in Cairns with new contract for M$300 main road project, PNG air going to fill the gap to CNS/HKG via POM and brilliant Baily Hotel (yes we're booked in for tonday's opening). If latter is anything like their other Crystalbrook collection Riley Hotel, which has set new standards for a 5 star hotel, I'm sold.

 

[Isochronous]

To catch an international fight out of SYD or BNE to Asia for instance means flying out with NoStar at 6am makes a bloody long day for seniors like me, its also about 2 hours longer than flyng direct from CNS, the only way is a stopover 1 night IMO. Flight prices CNS/SIN/CNS are ridiculous just like CX was to HKG.

Its about to boom more in Cairns with new contract for M$300 main road project, PNG air going to fill the gap to CNS/HKG via POM and brilliant Baily Hotel (yes we're booked in for tonday's opening). If latter is anything like their other Crystalbrook collection Riley Hotel, which has set new standards for a 5 star hotel, I'm sold.

Just had a look at the website - reminds me of a W Hotel. Good to see new development in CNS and will have to give it a go sometime!

 

[Limewood]

Do you really think QF would step up?

no not unless they paid Allan less!

 

[Borisdog]

Maybe so... but if you CHOOSE to live in such a place , don't you have to accept the limitations that come with that choice? We seem to have a fair number of people in this country who voluntarily live in out of the way - or even remote - places who somehow expect access to all the same amenities as those in the major cities.... why is that?

You’re right about the choice of where some of us live. An airline, however , isn’t one of the amenities I expect. It’s a private business.

Government services, roads, general Tax dollar bought services that regional areas often ( excessively) disproportionately contribute to per capital is another topic.

I don’t have a problem with dropping $500 return or so to position myself to fly elsewhere, often times flights to wherever ex TSV are actually not that different to same location straight up from BNE.

I didn’t choose to live in regional Australia because of it’s good international flight route services, I chose to live there because it is affordable and not a grossly overpopulated, overpriced slum.

 

[Borisdog]

I can understand that. I've been to TSV.

Come back soon. We miss you.

 

[drron]

And the last 3 years I have actually worked in TSV for 2-3 months a year.Winter of course and I actually enjoy my time there.

 

[HS-TQE]

CX are feeling the pinch, old aircraft and not such good reviews of late.

Why not fly Int. passengers from our main Aussie ports to Cairns and then out to HKG, that way they get to see it all roundtrip. plus airline gets outgoing freight. Ive done the CNS/HKG/CNS flights many times over past two decades on CX and the plane was full or near full both ways, so no its not yield IMO.

A full plane does not equal profit in the airline industry.

Multiple full planes can still end up as a loss if the airline had to sell seats at low yielding discounted fares to fill up the plane with budget backpackers and/or budget conscious VFR (Visiting Family Relatives) travellers.

Heavy discounting can still end up as losses for full service carriers/2-class LCCs if the income from "High Yielding" business and/or Full Fare Flexible Economy travellers isn't high enough to subsidise the low yielding budget/VFR passengers.