International flights from Hobart to Singapore, Hong Kong?
Hobart Airport is in discussions with Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific to launch direct flights from the Apple Isle.
By staff, January 14 2025
Singapore and Hong Kong could be among new destinations to appear on the departures board at Hobart, as Tasmania hopes to lure Asian travellers seeking a very different ‘down under’ experience.
Airlines will also be wooed by a new $5 million Aviation Fund designed to bring more domestic and international flights to Tasmania.
Most other state governments have successfully leveraged similar taxpayer-funded programs to attract a raft of new flights and destinations, albeit with much deeper pockets – such as $60m for New South Wales, $75m for Western Australia and a whopping $200m for Queensland.
“For Tasmanians, it will mean more choices when they travel interstate or overseas and support for our trade and export markets,” said state premier Jeremy Rockliff.
Part of the fund aims to expand existing seasonal flights, such as Air New Zealand’s current Hobart-Auckland route.
“Aviation is a competitive business and these funds will give Tasmania a competitive edge to secure new and extra domestic and international flights,” said Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter.
“Importantly, this fund will go a long way to helping to secure direct international flights to Asia, once we complete our $130 million runway upgrade in the middle of this year.”
That overhaul will allow the airport to accommodate larger long-range aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.
Premier Rockliff has previously confirmed talks with Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific “to lock in direct flight routes between Hobart and Asia.”
“These are two world-leading air carriers and we’d love to see them flying direct to Hobart.”
Tasmania’s state tourism authority rates both Singapore and Hong Kong as “peak value” markets whose visitors tend to spend more during their stay.
Singapore Airlines currently flies to seven Australian cities, and Cathay Pacific five, but Tasmania always remains one additional domestic flight away.
Airlines often begin new routes on a seasonal basis, and this could especially be the case with the Asia-Tasmania market.
As previously reported, another element of Hobart’s expansion program involves the opening of an all-new Qantas Club in 2027.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
20 Apr 2015
Total posts 34
I could see SQ using Scoot to test the market as Hobart is primarily a leisure market.
09 May 2011
Total posts 25
Agree, if anything Scoot seasonally.
As much as I would love to the likes of Hobart get more connectivity, I feel that all these second tier airports ( including Newcastle) wanting international connectivity is just wishful thinking. I mean, Gold Coast ( which has a wider profile) has just lost all its long haul international flights.
If anything i can see FJ give Hobart a go with a twice weekly 737 service. However be great if NZ made their service atleast year round for a start.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 383
I think part of the issue with the Gold Coast is its proximity to Brisbane International Airport. It made more sense for JQ to consolidate its long haul Asian flights out of BNE. I see Hobart as a niche market that Asian tourists, particularly, will flock to. If Cathay or Singapore can get good amounts of cargo out of Hobart, it will help them make a go of it.
29 Jan 2020
Total posts 37
Singapore Airlines have operated Singapore to Hobart non stop previously, many years ago.
They ran the flights for 3-4 Years, but just for 4 weeks coinciding with Singaporean school holidays.
With increased interest in Tasmania, and a lot more freight potential now, I would think Scoot could make it work.
25 Sep 2020
Total posts 2
It would be good if both Singapore and Cathay would fly to Hobart. I think Singapore might test the waters with Scoot, maybe Cathay could use their Air Hong Kong subsidiary. But HBA would have to seriously consider air bridges if Singapore or Cathay flew their prestige airlines. Also if Cathay was in the mix HBA need to move faster to open the long promised Qantas Club, not wait till 2027.
22 Sep 2017
Total posts 96
Maybe the ability to fly a belly load of seafood direct from Tassie to HK or Singapore would help the economics to stack up?
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 115
I don't think we we'll see any budget subsidies to HBA as although domestically there are quite a few flights from the likes of Jetstar, Tasmania is in a world sense comparatively expensive, so filling up 300+ seats plus of budget travellers is going to be a hard task.
If you look at an airline like Scoot, most of their 7+ hour destinations seem to be major million plus cities, which Hobart isn't. They don’t even serve Brisbane.
If any service does start, I think it will just start as a seasonal, 2-3 times a week.
CX are probably in the better position as I think they are closer to their bilateral slot limits, they have a more suitable aircraft in the a330 and would be a good connecting airline for travellers from Europe and North Asia.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on International flights from Hobart to Singapore, Hong Kong?