Melbourne flights a month away: Sichuan
Sichuan Airlines will commence flights between Chengdu and Melbourne from February 28, forging the first direct link between Australia and one of China's secondary cities.
The start of the three times weekly Airbus A330-200 services, first outlined in September, will see Sichuan become the fifth Chinese carrier to fly to Australia. It follows the formation of a "sister airport relationship" between Melbourne and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport last year.
Tourism Australian managing director Andrew McEvoy described the southwestern city of Chengdu, which has a population of almost 15 million people, as "one of China's fast emerging secondary cities".
"And as the largest aviation hub in central western China, it has huge potential for us to open up new markets within China," he added.
The tourism body is targeting a number of "key secondary cities" in China with efforts being supported by additional funding from the government's Asia Marketing Fund.
"From our research we know that Australia ranks top of the travel wish list for the Chinese," McEvoy said. "The appetite for travel among the new middle classes in these cities is clear but to fully realise these opportunities it's critical that we get more capacity and, in particular, more direct flights."
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airlines chengdu china melbourne sichuan tourism australiaLatest News
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