Shenzhen Airlines Launches New Route to Melbourne: A Milestone for Air Travel Between China and Australia

Early Christmas for Travelers in Victoria

Shenzhen Airlines has launched its inaugural flights to Australia, designating Melbourne as its first entry point. The airline’s first flight from Shenzhen’s Bao’an Airport landed at Melbourne Airport on December 23, marking a significant new connection between Victoria and one of China’s rapidly growing cities.

Melbourne Welcomes Its 42nd International Airline

Operating three weekly flights between Shenzhen and Melbourne via Airbus A330-300 aircraft, Shenzhen Airlines adds over 95,000 seats annually to the Australia–China market. This new route establishes Shenzhen Airlines as the 42nd airline at Tullamarine Airport, surpassing its pre-COVID peak of 41 airlines and asserting Melbourne’s status as Australia’s busiest global airport operating round-the-clock.

The addition of Shenzhen Airlines also brings the total number of mainland Chinese carriers serving Melbourne to ten, demonstrating robust demand across both leisure and business travel, in addition to freight and trade interactions with China, the world’s second-largest economy. The airline joins other significant names such as Emirates and Qatar Airways in choosing Melbourne as their inaugural Australian destination.

Economic Benefits for Victoria’s Visitor Sector and Exports

Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport, expressed that the new service’s advantages reach far beyond airport operations. With each international flight landing at Tullamarine, Victoria’s economy benefits by approximately AUD 500,000 through spending on accommodations, dining, attractions, and retail sectors.

“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,” said Argus.

Direct flights from Shenzhen to Melbourne are expected to:

Increase visitor flows to Victoria’s tourist spots, including city dining experiences and regional attractions like the Great Ocean Road.
Provide local exporters with expedited access to China’s vast consumer market, facilitating premium export goods.

Melbourne Airport is proactively investing in expanding its international terminal, modernizing its baggage systems, and proposing a third runway to ensure capacity meets growing demand.

Shenzhen: A Gateway to Modern China for Australians

Shenzhen Airlines, recognized as China’s fifth-largest airline with over 230 aircraft, services more than 90 destinations globally, enhancing passenger access to China’s most vibrant cities.

The new link offers Australian travelers direct access to Shenzhen, known for its culinary scene and shopping, and serves as a strategic launchpad for exploring nearby regions like Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

“Shenzhen is one of China’s largest technology hubs and a fascinating gateway for Australians looking to explore the booming cities of the Pearl River Delta or beyond,” noted Argus.

Expanding Melbourne’s International Network

The debut of Shenzhen Airlines is part of a broader trend of network expansions at Melbourne Airport, which recently welcomed new flights from Delta Air Lines to Los Angeles, and new routes to Bali and Helsinki. The ongoing developments reinforce Melbourne’s position as a pivotal Asia-Pacific gateway, facilitating deeper ties with China and increasing travel and trade options for both travelers and exporters alike.