Brisbane 5 July 2013. Almost 40,000 extra travellers a year will have access to Queensland via an AirAsia X daily service between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said AirAsia X would increase its Kuala Lumpur-Gold Coast service from five to seven flights per week, in a show of confidence in Queensland’s tourism industry. The new flights will start in November.

“AirAsia X and AirAsia Group operate an expansive network with connections to more than 100 destinations across the Asia Pacific, India, Nepal and the Middle East,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Queensland shares a strong partnership with AirAsia X which started flying to the State in November 2007, and these new daily services will provide even more low-cost access into Queensland for many international travellers.”

Ms Stuckey said the State Government had established an $8 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund to help secure new aviation business into Queensland.

“The State Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), will work in partnership with Gold Coast Tourism, Gold Coast Airport and Tourism Australia to develop marketing activities to support these new daily flights,” she said.

“In the year to March 2013, Queensland welcomed more than two million international visitors to the state, a five per cent increase compared with the year prior.

“Gold Coast Airport welcomed 91,880 international passengers in 2012 which was a 31.2 per cent increase on 2011.

“Our goal is to double annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020, and aviation access will be key to achieving that goal.”

AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman-Rani said the Gold Coast was the airline’s first Australian port and AirAsia X, the long-haul, low fare airline affiliate of the AirAsia Group, had invested heavily in the city from the start.

“We hold a special place in our hearts for this vibrant city which has strongly supported us since our launch in 2007,” Mr Osman-Rani said.

“Passenger movements between the Gold Coast and Kuala Lumpur have been consistently strong with an increase on average passenger load year on year for the past three years. This has given us confidence to increase capacity to seven flights a week.

“AirAsia X is very much committed to the Gold Coast and we have been active in the community by supporting events such as the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

“AirAsia X has wonderful backing from industry partners such as the Queensland Government, Gold Coast Airport and tourism bodies, and will continue our strong involvement with the Gold Coast for years to come.”

Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Paul Donovan said AirAsia X’s presence in the region since 2007 had proved to be a win for international tourism to the Gold Coast.

“Kuala Lumpur is a major hub for AirAsia X with connections from South East Asia, China, India and beyond, making the Gold Coast an easily accessible destination of choice,” Mr Donovan said.

“AirAsia X is a valued airline partner and we commend its increased commitment to tourism growth.”

Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said continuous marketing campaigns, and a relentless program of travel industry partnerships and education had created a demand for access into the Gold Coast.

“The new daily service will open up travel opportunities and deliver a boost to Gold Coast tourism and the local economy,” Mr Winter said.

AirAsia X will increase its current five to seven flights weekly beginning November 24, 2013.