Flight bookings between Asia and Australia soared in the previous quarter when compared to 2022, according to new statistics released by FCM, the flagship large market corporate travel division of Flight Centre Travel Group
Figures showed that bookings between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023, versus the same time last year between China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia took off by a whopping 83 per cent – a near doubling of demand between the two continents.
According to the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the trade interests are inextricably linked. Australia’s two-way trade with South-east Asia is greater than their trade with Japan or the US, passing A$178 billion (US$113 billion) in 2022.
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are also in Australia’s top 15 trading partners for 2022. In any match-up of economic complementarity with growth potential, the greatest trade, and economic opportunities for Australia over the next 30 years lie in the South-east Asian region.
Bertrand Saillet, FCM managing director for Asia, said: “It’s no coincidence that the growth in the number of bookings coincides with airline capacity coming back and more seats being offered. Singapore Airlines and Qantas have swapped out smaller aircraft for A380s to key cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.”
“Another trend that we’re seeing is corporate travellers extending their longhaul stay to take advantage of holiday destinations and Australia is the perfect place to do this.
“Meetings, events, and conferences have also come back strong in the last three months and that’s reflected in these increased booking numbers. Businesses are valuing face-to-face meetings now more than ever as the euphoria of Zoom and Teams fades away in favour of in-person occasions.”
