New service boosts Brisbane Airport’s cargo capacity to US market

Brisbane Airport’s cargo capacity to the US has been boosted by a new United Airlines service to San Francisco, meaning that from today the gateway offers an 60,000 kilos of cargo capacity a week to the North American market.

Indeed, the first United Airlines Brisbane to San Francisco service took off today, its cargo hold packed with Queensland products fuelling employment across the state.

The first outbound flight includes 15,000 kilogrammes of chilled beef, as well as 1,200kg of cosmetics and 900kg of automotive parts. On the manifest for future flights; seafood, pharmaceuticals, live coral and fashions.

“Brisbane Airport is beefing up Queensland’s export trade. San Francisco is a great destination to land our exports as it’s a major hub and gateway for United to provide fast access across North America, South America and Europe,” enthused Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff.

“These new services, supported by the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, represent a partnership between the State Government, BAC and United Airlines that not only brings good news for the tourism and hospitality sectors, but helps our primary producers, manufacturers, and exporters right across Queensland.”

“Australia has always been a key part of United’s international network, serving the country for more than 35 years. With United’s strong history in Australia, we’re excited to further expand our service to Brisbane,” noted the airline’s vice president of consumer PR, Nicole Carriere.

“We are committed to providing our cargo customers in Australia with more flight options to the U.S. and beyond.”

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick, said the new San Francisco schedule provided an opportunity for Queensland businesses to access more export customers in more export markets.

“Every plane full of international tourists that arrives in Queensland is an opportunity for more Queensland businesses to export to customers around the world,” said Dick.

“For instance, last year just 21 tonnes of medical devices flew out of Brisbane airport, but they were worth nearly $60 million.”

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, was also quick to note that airfreight is a vital component in Queensland’s beef supply chain.

In 2021-2022  Brisbane Airport transported 46,290 tonnes of exports, worth $1,947,290,000 to the Queensland economy.

Each Boeing Dreamliner used on the route from Brisbane to San Francisco can carry around 20,000 kilogrammes of freight.