Shenzhen Airlines will launch its first flights to Australia in late December, with new service between Shenzhen and Melbourne.
The route, which will operate three times a week using an Airbus A330-300, is set to begin on Dec. 22, according to the carrier’s booking system and as first reported by AeroRoutes. The Melbourne service will make Australia the 15th international country in the Star Alliance member’s network.
Melbourne Airport (MEL) already has nine routes to mainland China, served by major carriers such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines. These flights connect Melbourne to key cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai Pudong. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, there are currently more than 26,000 two-way weekly seats between MEL and mainland China, reflecting an 11% year-on-year increase.
Currently, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has one nonstop flight to Australia, operated by China Southern Airlines, with a 3X-weekly service to Sydney.
In the broader China-Australia market, around 68,000 two-way weekly seats are available, marking a 19% rise compared to this time in 2024. China Eastern Airlines is the largest operator, with 37X-weekly flights, followed closely by China Southern with 34X-weekly services. Xiamen Airlines is the third largest carrier, with 14 flights per week.
Shenzhen Airlines’ move into the Australian market follows Melbourne’s recent success in attracting Hong Kong Airlines, which is set to become the airport’s 39th international carrier in December. The new service, made possible by expanded bilateral air traffic rights between Hong Kong and Australia, will operate three times a week using A330 aircraft, adding more than 93,000 seats to one of MEL’s top five international destinations.
In the financial year ending June 30, MEL welcomed a total of 11.9 million international passengers, an increase of more than 900,000 passengers, or 8.3% over the previous year. Overall, 36.2 million passengers passed through MEL, including 24.2 domestic travelers, representing a modest 0.4% growth in domestic traffic compared to the previous year.
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