Exports travelling out of Brisbane via Cathay Pacific had previously been limited to the belly of passenger aircraft, and ad hoc freight flights.
Now, a Cathay Cargo 747 will depart Brisbane Airport for Hong Kong weekly, boosting the amount and size of exports to Hong Kong, the world’s largest air cargo port.
The inaugural flight’s load included Queensland beef, fish and avocados, a Bugatti sports car, eight racehorses and Australian-made Boeing 737 wings.
Ahead of take-off, guests including Australia Trade Minister Ros Bates MP were on the tarmac to meet crew from Cathay Cargo and Menzies Aviation.
Cathay Pacific has also announced it has increased its passenger services from Hong Kong to Brisbane to twice daily, every day, providing additional passenger and cargo capacity.