Sydney Airport will welcome its newest international carrier this December, with Shenzhen Airlines launching direct flights between Sydney and Shenzhen.
The Chinese airline will begin operating four services a week from 14 December 2026 using an Airbus A330-300, adding approximately 130,000 seats and carrying an estimated 100,000 passengers each year.
Flight ZH815 will depart Shenzhen at 12.20am and arrive in Sydney at 1.40pm. The return service, ZH816, will leave Sydney at 10.30pm and arrive in Shenzhen at 5.25am the following morning.
The new route will provide another option for Australians travelling to southern China, while giving passengers access to connections across Shenzhen Airlines’ domestic and international network throughout Asia and Europe.
It will also strengthen competition on the route, with Shenzhen Airlines joining China Southern Airlines in operating direct flights between Sydney and Shenzhen.
The carrier’s arrival will take the number of airlines serving Sydney Airport to a record 55, following the announcement this week that EGYPTAIR plans to launch flights between Cairo, Singapore and Sydney in early 2027.
Shenzhen Airlines will become the tenth China-based airline to serve Sydney. Its introduction comes as the number of weekly flights between Sydney and mainland China is expected to exceed 100 during the Christmas and Lunar New Year peak period.
China’s recovery as an inbound market was evident during Lunar New Year 2026. Australia recorded 943,220 international arrivals in February, up 19.7% on the previous year, with China accounting for 220,170 trips.
NSW welcomed 94,980 arrivals from China during the month, compared with 81,090 in February 2019.
Often described as China’s Silicon Valley, Shenzhen was Sydney Airport’s seventh-largest mainland Chinese destination for point-to-point passengers in 2025. Passenger numbers between the two cities increased 16% year-on-year to reach 56,000.
“We’re pleased to welcome Shenzhen Airlines to Sydney Airport and support the launch of this important new service between Sydney and Shenzhen,” Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said.
“China remains one of Sydney Airport’s most important international markets, with Chinese nationals the airport’s second-largest international traveller group, up 13.9% year-on-year.
“This new route will provide passengers with direct access to one of China’s most dynamic cities, as well as onward connections across Shenzhen Airlines’ extensive domestic and international network across Asia and Europe.”
Shenzhen Airlines Chairman Li Shuxing said the service would provide greater choice and convenience while supporting stronger tourism, trade and cultural links between China and Australia.“Sydney is an important destination for our international network, and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board and working closely with Sydney Airport to make this service a success,” he said.
