The Hon. Andrew Powell, Minister for the Environment and Tourism (Qld), Media Release, 31 July 2025
The Crisafulli Government has advised passengers to fasten your seatbelts and prepare for take-off with a landmark gathering of aviation and tourism leaders in Cairns this week.
For the first time, the flagship event – CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific 2025 – is being held outside a capital city, highlighting Cairns’ growing importance as a hub for regional aviation and tourism.
CEOs and senior representatives from key airlines will descend on Cairns for the conference, which focuses on the opportunities and challenges of the aviation industry, explores the future of aviation and its role in driving economic growth, promotes discussion around route development and showcases the very best of the region.
Secured for Cairns by Cairns Airport and supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) in partnership with Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ), the conference is expected to deliver an immediate economic boost to the region, generating 1,020 visitor nights and an estimated $1.2 million direct spend across the three-day program.
This meaningful boost to the local economy is why hosting major and business events plays such a pivotal role in the Crisafulli Government’s visionary tourism plan, Destination 2045, which aims to position Queensland as the events capital of the nation.
In the twelve months to June 2025, Cairns Airport serviced 4,875,487 passengers, acting as more than just a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, but a vital link connecting Queensland to the world.
Cairns Airport currently connects the region to key international markets such as Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Fiji, and Indonesia, driving the region’s tourism industry, which supports one in six jobs in Tropical North Queensland.
Unveiled in the Crisafulli Government’s first Budget, the new Connecting Queensland Fund is bolstered by summits like this one, as the program expands both international and domestic air routes, making it easier for visitors to access Queensland’s regions and explore our unique attractions. That means new routes, more frequent flights, and more seats on key domestic connections.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said holding the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in Cairns reinforced Queensland’s status as a global hub for tourism and aviation.
“With international aviation rebounding and the region’s recovery well underway, we are at a crucial time for growth, with the CAPA Summit highlighting the critical role aviation plays in connecting Queensland to the world and driving economic growth,” Minister Powell said.
“The conference is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the region’s impressive growth and quality of its tourism offerings to key decision-makers.
“Destination 2045 will double the value of Queensland’s visitor expenditure to $84 billion by 2045, delivering lasting benefits to Queensland communities.
“By improving aviation connectivity and making it easier for people to travel to and around Queensland, we’ll bring more visitors straight to the doorstep of our operators and attractions.”
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said CAPA was recognised globally as a pivotal and influential force in the aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors.
“Our region is poised to become the primary gateway to Northern Australia. Hosting CAPA in Cairns will present invaluable industry and business opportunities as we continue this exciting growth trajectory,” Mr Barker said.
