Sichuan confirms Melbourne flights

Sichuan confirms Melbourne flights
By admin


Sichuan Airlines will become the fifth Chinese carrier to fly to Australia after confirming plans to operate three weekly flights between Chengdu and Melbourne.

But the flights are pending regulatory approval and no launch date has been set.

The move follows the formation of a “sister airport relationship” between Melbourne and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport earlier this year.

It will be the first direct connection from Australia to one of China’s huge secondary cities – the new targets of Tourism Australia. Chengdu has a population of almost 15 million.

Tourism Australia chief executive Andrew McEvoy said: “Chengdu represents one of China’s emerging secondary cities and largest aviation hubs in central western China and has the potential to open up significant new markets for us.

“Our research has clearly demonstrated the appetite for travel among the new middle classes in these cities but to fully realise these opportunities it’s critical that we get more capacity and, in particular, more direct flights.”

The timing of the announcement is heaven sent for Tourism Australia which has just named Chengdu as one of three secondary cities it will target as part of an Asia Marketing Fund.

Tourism leaders and airports travelled to Chengdu in April as part a high level delegation to promote direct flights.

The services will provide 850 weekly seats and bring the total number of annual seats between China and Melbourne to 44,200.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]