ABSTRACT
The Asia Pacific region has had an important influence upon Australian aviation over a long period of time. The elements of that influence have varied over time, however, as the connections between Australia and the countries to its east and north have changed. This chapter explores that change, concentrating in particular on the period since the mid-1980s. From that time the direction, strength and diversity of links between Australia and the Asia Pacific region changed rapidly. Those changes were seen in new trade, migration and tourism connections. In response to that evolving context, the aviation industry itself underwent change, with a new set of airlines operating into and out of Australia, on new routes, with different aircraft and (in some cases) under new regulatory arrangements. This chapter explores the connections between these two sets of circumstances and isolates those regions, routes and airlines that have felt the most significant gains and losses as Australia and the Asia Pacific region cement new connections.
