Paddock-to-plane with weekly Wellcamp freight services to Asia

DARLING DOWNS producers now have a regular export link to Asia with the announcement of a weekly freight flight from Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.

Cathay Pacific Airways will operate a weekly international Boeing 747-8F service out of Wellcamp from November 22.

The regular service from Toowoomba to Hong Kong comes a year after the first test international freight flight year last November.

Wagners’ global chairman and airport developer John Wagner said the commitment by Cathay Pacific created opportunities for Queensland exporters to benefit from Australia’s free trade agreements.

“Establishing the freight service could not have been possible without the assistance of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise,” Mr Wagner said.

“We are on the cusp of very exciting times and the reality for our multi-million-dollar agricultural and processing sectors is produce, like chilled beef and other perishables will be able to fly direct to Asia from the region in which they are produced.”

Food Leaders Australia Chief Executive Officer Dr Ben Lyons said the service was another major milestone for the airport and producers.

“This new freight service means we could potentially put produce on the plates at restaurants in Hong Kong faster than we can get it to Melbourne,” Dr Lyons said.

“This freight service will bridge the distance between Darling Downs producers and the Asian market.”

Dr Lyons said establishing Southern Queensland’s only scheduled international air freight-only service was about two years in the making.

“The flight in November last year proved the region had both the product and capacity to export to the Asian market and gives producers the exporting edge,” Dr Lyons said.

The service will initially depart from Sydney, then land in Melbourne, with a final stop in Toowoomba before the nine-hour direct flight to Hong Kong.

Menzies Aviation, in partnership with Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, will manage the ground handling and cargo terminal operations.

Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport opened in November 2014 and is Australia’s first privately-built public airport.

Dr Lyons said demand for export opportunities was also shown through the Western Downs Eastern Opportunities program, giving producers export-ready skills.

“Along with the AccessChina’16 flight this month, Wellcamp airport is showing itself as the gateway to the Darling Downs.”