The Sister-Airport agreement reflects the close ties between Brisbane and Chongqing developed under the Sister-City relationship since 2005. Chongqing Airport is a major aviation hub for western China and last month opened its new Terminal 3, now one of the largest airport terminal buildings in the world. The 530,000 sq. m terminal has 94 aircraft parking stands, giving it an annual capacity of 45 million passengers, 1.1 million tonnes of aircargo and 373,000 aircraft movements.
A statement from Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) says the aim is to work cooperatively toward a direct service between the mega-market of Chongqing, with its 30 million plus residents, and Brisbane. BAC believes government support is essential to its success in developing more direct aviation ties with China and this new airport agreement is a good example of how they can work together to advance the interests of Brisbane and the region.
This development comes at the same time as Hainan Airlines commenced direct flights between Shenzhen and Brisbane. The Airbus A330 service will operate two times per week arriving on Thursdays and Mondays. And Air China is set to begin direct flights between Brisbane and Beijing from December 11, shortly after Qantas partner China Eastern shifts to daily Brisbane-Shanghai flights. For Brisbane Airport, Shenzhen will be its 80th destination and Hainan Airlines its 31st airline, while Air China will become its 32nd airline partner.
