Latest news with #BrisbaneAirport
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
The Aussie state that simply can't get enough of Japan
We all know Aussies are obsessed with Japan, but there's one state that can't seem to get enough. The Asian destination continues to top the list of popular travel locations with 115,000 Aussies visiting the hotspot in April alone, according to the latest figures from Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) – that's a 42.6 per cent increase over the same period last year. The destination has evolved beyond a travel trend and morphed into a cultural phenomenon, whether for adventure, cuisine, tradition, or seasonal beauty. Either way, it has become the go-to destination with the strong Aussie dollar, proximity to Australia and picturesque locations each playing a huge role. The hotspot welcomed 920,000 Aussies in 2024, setting a new record, with interest from Queenslanders alone increasing 255 per cent in outbound travel vs. 2019. Each day, an average of 494 Aussies depart Brisbane Airport for Japan (12 months to February 2025), with Japan now the fourth biggest outbound market (behind NZ, UK/Europe and Indonesia), and overtaking the USA and Fiji. 'The facts back up what your Instagram feed is already showing, Japan is a hot destination for Queenslanders right now,' Ryan Both, aviation executive general manager at Brisbane Airport, said in a statement last month. 'But we're also seeing strong growth in the number of Japanese visitors coming to Queensland, which is great news for tourism operators in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef.' It appears to be a two-way affair with Japan becoming Queensland's fastest-growing international market with a 124 per cent rise in visitors compared to 2019 numbers. The Asian destination has become a popular option for Aussies over long-weekends, Easter, school holidays and the stunning Sakura (cherry blossom) season. So far in 2025, 429,000 Aussies have visited Japan, which is a 28.6 per cent increase from the same January to April period last year, and almost half of the total number of 2024 arrivals. And with the June long weekend (King's Birthday) approaching, 44 per cent of Aussies are planning to travel, according to recent figures from Luxury Escapes. The online booking travel platform surveyed 1000 respondents and unsurprisingly, Japan came out on top as the most popular destination for overseas travel, followed by Indonesia (Bali). '[Japan] is definitely one of the hottest destinations for Australians and it's likely a combination of our Aussie dollar against the Japanese Yen which helps travellers get more bang for their travel buck in comparison to other international destinations like the US and UK,' Luxury Escapes co-founder and CEO, Adam Schwab, told Currently, 1 AUD is buying 92.55 Japanese Yen. Mr Schwab said value for money was high up there (26 per cent) as a reason to choose Japan, with Aussies spending about five nights in the hotspot for their extended long-weekend and during school holidays, 'it's around nine nights'. Meanwhile, Queensland was the most popular interstate destination, with almost two thirds of holiday-makers surveyed set to visit the Gold Coast, with Mr Schwab adding it's 'no surprise'. 'Two thirds of those visiting Queensland are going to the Gold Coast and it's pretty much the annual sun seekers pilgrimage as southerners look to defrost and bask in the balminess of a Queensland winter,' he said. The travel platform currently has last-minute long weekend deals all over Australia from Tamworth to Toowoomba. Mr Schwab said it includes cities and towns that may not have previously been top of mind for long weekend getaways, that are offering up some really interesting options. 'Just near Tamworth in North West New South Wales for example, is a brand new glamping 'Wilderluxe' retreat and there are some great outback pubs stays in regional Queensland.' He added while many of the traditional June long weekend destinations are heavily booked, there is still great value to be found in capital cities and across regional centres.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Qantas promises staff safety overhaul following turbulence event that injured cabin crew
Qantas has promised to step up its staff safety procedures following a shock turbulence event that injured three cabin crew. The incident happened on descent into Brisbane Airport during a Sydney to Brisbane flight in early May. About 36km out from the airport, the aircraft experienced unexpected and severe turbulence, with three cabin crew unrestrained as the plane started shaking. Two crew members received minor injuries, including a facial injury and concussion, while a third was seriously injured with a fractured ankle, an ATSB report into the event released this week has revealed. 'The ATSB found that the captain did not inform the cabin crew about the expected turbulence during descent, likely due to not being aware of its severity,' the safety agency said. The turbulence event was then followed by a communication breakdown between different parts of the cabin, with the pilot landing the plane despite three crew members and a passenger still unrestrained. 'Following the turbulence, the captain instructed all passengers and crew to return to their seats and fasten seatbelts. 'However, two cabin crew and two passengers remained unrestrained in the rear galley to assist the seriously injured crew member during landing,' the report states. 'When the flight crew were informed of this, the captain repeated the instruction that everyone besides the injured crew member was to return to their seats for landing. 'Assuming the cabin would be secured after the repeated instruction, the flight crew proceeded with the landing, unaware that four crew and passengers remained unrestrained.' The aircraft, a narrow body twin-engine Boeing 737-800, was fitted with a weather radar system that detects and locates precipitation bearing clouds on the flight path, giving pilot a visual indication in colour of a cloud's intensity. 'The captain did not recall identifying areas of turbulence on the weather radar on descent or report that they were experiencing any difficulties operating the weather radar,' the report states. On descent, the captain observed 'an approaching cumulus cloud' along the flight path but determined it did not pose an immediate hazard based on a visual assessment and the lack of radar indications, the report found. 'As a result, the captain did not perform the 'turbulence' PA, which would have prompted the cabin crew to immediately secure themselves in the nearest seat or wedge themselves in the aisle to prepare for the turbulence encounter.' After the event, a crew member who suffered an undiagnosed concussion then worked on subsequent flights. The ATSB said Qantas 'lacked a procedure to ensure cabin crew fitness was assessed after a significant injury'. 'This increased the risk that a crew member could continue to operate while being unfit for duty,' the report states. In response to the investigation, Qantas said it would overhaul its medical assessments processes, 'regardless of visible impact'. 'Following an internal investigation, we promptly expanded our Group-wide medical escalation and post-incident medical assessment processes, ensuring all crew on-board a flight are assessed following an incident, regardless of visible impact,' a Qantas spokeswoman told NewsWire. The investigation drew on information from the captain of the flight, the customer service manager, the R2 primary cabin crew member, Qantas, Qantas' safety manager, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Bureau of Meteorology for its report.
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
New Qantas rule after turbulence shock
Qantas has promised to step up its staff safety procedures following a shock turbulence event that injured three cabin crew. The incident happened on descent into Brisbane Airport during a Sydney to Brisbane flight in early May. About 36km out from the airport, the aircraft experienced unexpected and severe turbulence, with three cabin crew unrestrained as the plane started shaking. Two crew members received minor injuries, including a facial injury and concussion, while a third was seriously injured with a fractured ankle, an ATSB report into the event released this week has revealed. 'The ATSB found that the captain did not inform the cabin crew about the expected turbulence during descent, likely due to not being aware of its severity,' the safety agency said. The turbulence event was then followed by a communication breakdown between different parts of the cabin, with the pilot landing the plane despite three crew members and a passenger still unrestrained. 'Following the turbulence, the captain instructed all passengers and crew to return to their seats and fasten seatbelts. 'However, two cabin crew and two passengers remained unrestrained in the rear galley to assist the seriously injured crew member during landing,' the report states. The turbulence event hit during descent into Brisbane Airport on May 4. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia 'When the flight crew were informed of this, the captain repeated the instruction that everyone besides the injured crew member was to return to their seats for landing. 'Assuming the cabin would be secured after the repeated instruction, the flight crew proceeded with the landing, unaware that four crew and passengers remained unrestrained.' The aircraft, a narrow body twin-engine Boeing 737-800, was fitted with a weather radar system that detects and locates precipitation bearing clouds on the flight path, giving pilot a visual indication in colour of a cloud's intensity. 'The captain did not recall identifying areas of turbulence on the weather radar on descent or report that they were experiencing any difficulties operating the weather radar,' the report states. On descent, the captain observed 'an approaching cumulus cloud' along the flight path but determined it did not pose an immediate hazard based on a visual assessment and the lack of radar indications, the report found. 'As a result, the captain did not perform the 'turbulence' PA, which would have prompted the cabin crew to immediately secure themselves in the nearest seat or wedge themselves in the aisle to prepare for the turbulence encounter.' The pilot's weather radar showing the threat of turbulence on approach to Brisbane Airport. ATSB and Qantas Credit: Supplied After the event, a crew member who suffered an undiagnosed concussion then worked on subsequent flights. The ATSB said Qantas 'lacked a procedure to ensure cabin crew fitness was assessed after a significant injury'. 'This increased the risk that a crew member could continue to operate while being unfit for duty,' the report states. In response to the investigation, Qantas said it would overhaul its medical assessments processes, 'regardless of visible impact'. 'Following an internal investigation, we promptly expanded our Group-wide medical escalation and post-incident medical assessment processes, ensuring all crew on-board a flight are assessed following an incident, regardless of visible impact,' a Qantas spokeswoman told NewsWire. The investigation drew on information from the captain of the flight, the customer service manager, the R2 primary cabin crew member, Qantas, Qantas' safety manager, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Bureau of Meteorology for its report.
7NEWS
26-05-2025
- Climate
- 7NEWS
Blackout and heavy fog causing delays at Brisbane Airport impacting Qantas and Jetstar flights
Travellers are facing delays as a major Australian airport was plunged into darkness during a reported blackout. While the reported blackout at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday morning has since been resolved it has affected check-in, baggage sorting and loading of some aircraft. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Passengers at Brisbane Airport delayed by blackout and heavy fog. Heavy fog in the city has also impacted services. At least four flights are affected, with some passengers telling 7NEWS there had been no information provided by airport staff while they waited in long lines. A spokesperson for Brisbane Airport confirmed power has been fully restored. 'An issue with two sub-stations created delays at the northern end of the Domestic Terminal this morning, impacting check-in, baggage sorting and loading of some aircraft,' they said. 'The issue arose at 5.20am, with Brisbane Airport electricians onsite within 15 minutes. 'Power was restored at 6.20am however there were residual impacts for Qantas and Jetstar passengers as the backlog was cleared. 'There has also been heavy fog at the airport. Aircraft continued landing and taking off, however it decreased the speed of movement on the ground. That fog has now cleared. 'We thank the passengers for their patience this morning.'
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- News.com.au
Chaos, delays as Brisbane Airport hit with blackout, fog
Passengers have been hit with delays after a blackout plunged Brisbane Airport into darkness as fog blankets the city. The blackout began at about 5.20am on Tuesday after a fault with two substations in the domestic terminal caused the entire section of the airport to go dark, triggering delays. The power outage impacted the check-in area, baggage sorting and the loading of some aircraft, a Brisbane Airport spokesperson told NewsWire. However, the backup system was able to keep 'general lighting' on. Electricians were on site to begin repairs within about 15 minutes. 'Power was restored at 6.20am,' the spokesperson said. 'However, there were residual impacts for Qantas and Jetstar passengers as the backlog was cleared.' Heavy fog caused further delays on Tuesday morning, however this has also since cleared. 'Aircrafts continued landing and taking off, however it decreased the speed of movement on the ground,' the spokesperson said. 'We thank the passengers for their patience this morning.'
