Melbourne Airport has welcomed a new international carrier, with Shenzhen Airlines touching down for the first time in Australia on 23 December in what the airport described as a major milestone for Victoria’s aviation recovery.
The Star Alliance member, and subsidiary of Air China, will operate three flights a week between Shenzhen Bao’an Airport and Melbourne using Airbus A330 aircraft. The new route will add more than 95,000 seats a year into Melbourne, strengthening links between Victoria and one of China’s most dynamic regions.
Shenzhen Airlines becomes the 42nd carrier to serve Melbourne Airport, exceeding the number of airlines operating before the Covid 19 pandemic. Melbourne was also the first Australian capital city airport to surpass pre pandemic levels of international seat capacity.
With a fleet of more than 230 aircraft, Shenzhen Airlines carries close to 40 million passengers annually and serves more than 90 destinations across China and internationally, including Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom and other long haul markets.
Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said the airline’s decision to launch its first Australian service into Melbourne reinforced the city’s status as a leading international gateway.
“Melbourne and Victoria have a long and proud connection with China, and we are incredibly pleased to be strengthening that connection with the launch of this new service,” she said.
“Direct flights from Shenzhen will help drive increased spending at Victoria’s hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, while also allowing Victorian exporters to send more of our high quality produce directly into one of China’s largest cities.”
Argus said international aviation delivered significant economic returns for the state, with each arriving international flight contributing around half a million dollars to the Victorian economy.
Shenzhen is one of China’s largest cities with a population of more than 17 million people and is a major technology and innovation hub. The new service provides easier access for Chinese travellers to Melbourne’s food scene, major events, sport and natural attractions, while also opening up a key gateway for Australians looking to explore the Pearl River Delta and surrounding regions.
To support continued international growth, Melbourne Airport is investing in an expanded international terminal, a new generation international baggage system and planning for a third runway to help keep Victoria connected to the world.
The arrival of Shenzhen Airlines caps off a strong year for Melbourne Airport and provides a timely Christmas boost for the state’s tourism and export sectors.
