Cairns, the northern gateway to Australia, will be the host city for the 2025 CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific, one of Australasia’s most prestigious tourism and aviation conferences. This marks the first time the event has been held outside a capital city, underscoring Cairns’ growing importance on the global stage.
Presented in partnership with Cairns Airport, the summit will take place at the Cairns Convention Centre on July 31 and August 1, 2025. It will bring together leaders from the aviation, tourism, and hospitality industries for a series of strategic sessions aimed at shaping the future of air travel.
Speakers will include high-ranking executives from Australian and international airlines, as well as senior government officials and subject matter experts from various air travel sectors.
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the event, stating, “Hosting CAPA will enable us to welcome the cream of the aviation and tourism sectors to Cairns, the northern gateway to Australia. We will be front and centre as our industry’s top executives examine where we’re headed, with insights into local and global trends.”
Barker also highlighted the importance of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef as iconic drawcards for international visitors, and the ongoing efforts of Cairns Airport to increase access options to Tropical North Queensland.
Tourism and Events Queensland’s Ollie Philpot echoed Barker’s sentiments, noting Cairns’ growing significance as a vital gateway to Queensland. “The increasing number of new flight routes to the region is a clear testament to its growing importance on the global stage,” Philpot said. “Now is the perfect time for Cairns and the Tropical North to be hosting this important annual conference, to continue momentum and explore route development and aviation industry issues with partners from across our region.”
The summit will feature a range of industry presentations, keynotes, high-level interviews, and panel discussions on topics such as regional airline capacity, consumer and passenger spending, changes in tourism, and the influence of government regulations on travel.
About Cairns Airport
Cairns Airport is the gateway to Tropical North Queensland, offering direct flights to major hubs in Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific. The airport is a key driver of the region’s tourism industry, facilitating access to the iconic Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, and other natural wonders.
About Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Tourism Tropical North Queensland is the regional tourism organization responsible for promoting the Tropical North Queensland region, which includes Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, and other natural and cultural attractions.