The third busiest airport in Australia is opening a new direct route to Hawaii that is forecast to generate an extra 40,000 international passengers and increase its global connectivity.

 

Brisbane Airport, which carried 20.3 million passengers in 2010-11, will see Hawaiian Airlines operate the Honolulu service three times per week from 28 November. In anticipation of the launch, the Queensland gateway’s international terminal has been ‘Hawaiian-ised’ with elaborate sand sculptures, Hawaiian themed signage and airport staff wearing floral leis.

 

Operator, Brisbane Airport Corporation, believes that the new Honolulu route will provide “connectivity to dozens of mainland American cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York”.

 

BAC produced retail revenues of A$58.3 million (US$59.6m), just 12.7% of the A$457.1m the company generated in total in 2011. It hopes to raise this share through more international routes and passengers.

 

Its record passenger numbers in its last financial year (topping 20 million) included a +3.6% lift in international pax, less than the domestic pax rise of +6%, from new destinations such as Guangzhou and Beijing via China Southern, and Phuket in Thailand via Strategic Airlines.

 

To supporting the new Hawaii route launch, passengers travelling with Hawaiian Airlines to Honolulu throughout November will receive a voucher for A$20 with ‘no strings attached’ to spend on duty free at Brisbane Airport before departure on the day of travel. They also have the chance to win family holidays to Hawaii.